The man accused of shooting a Waterloo Regional Police officer with a pellet gun is now charged with murder in connection with the death of Michael Gibbon.

Eric Amaral appeared in Kitchener court Tuesday to afternoon to answer to a new charge of first-degree murder.

The 29-year-old's appearance was brief, and ended with him being returned to custody.

His next court date was set for Nov. 3.

He already faced 17 charges – mainly weapons and probation offences, but also assault on a peace officer with a weapon – after allegedly shooting a WRPS officer last week, following a traffic stop on Ottawa Street South.

One of those charges relates to possession of a prohibited crossbow.

Police said at the time that Amaral was one of about 30 persons of interest in the death of Gibbon, who was found with an arrow wound on the lawn of a Margaret Avenue home earlier this month.

“There was a number of people that were involved in the investigation, all becoming persons of interest,” Staff Sgt. Mike Haffner said Tuesday.

“Part of the investigation (was) to eliminate those individuals (from consideration).”

Police declined to say whether Amaral was considered a person of interest before he was pulled over on Ottawa Street, or whether he had any connection to Gibbon.

People living in the Margaret Avenue home believe that Gibbon was attempting to reach their door for help after being injured.

He was rushed to hospital, where he died later the same day.

Family members have described Gibbon as a kind, intelligent man who worked nights at an insurance company and regularly walked around his neighbourhood.

Police say they’re still appealing to the public for information relating to Gibbon’s death.

No further arrests are anticipated.