‘Back to work': London bar manager ‘recovering' one week after being stabbed

CTV News

14-07-2025

A manager at Joe Kool's in London, Ont. is back to work one week after being stabbed outside the establishment. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
A downtown London bar manager is back to work and recovering one week after being stabbed in the parking lot behind the restaurant on Richmond Street.
'Cris is doing fine, thank goodness, we're really happy about that,' said Mike Smith, owner of Joe Kool's.
'That's the number one issue. It just happened last Monday, and he was out (of hospital) on Tuesday morning. As a matter of fact, he's back to work today.'
Joe Kool's stabbing London
The parking lot behind Joe Kool's on Richmond Street seen in London, Ont. on July 14, 2025. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
CTV London spoke with Cris who said he appreciates the hundreds of messages of support he's received, and he's expected to 'only miss a couple of weeks of hockey.'
He said on July 7, he went out back to ask a man loitering by the back door to leave. That's when the man allegedly pulled a knife and slashed him just under his armpit. The man then took off on a scooter.
As a result of the investigation, Leslie Jacob James Dentelbeck, 33, of London, was located, arrested, and charged with aggravated assault and breach of probation.
According to court documents, Dentelbeck would 'maim, disfigure, or endanger the life' of the victim.
Joe Kool's stabbing London
A police officer walks in downtown London, Ont. on Monday, July 14, 2025 (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
His breach of probation was for failing to comply by carrying a weapon 'designed to be used or intended for use causing death or injury or to threaten or intimidate any person.'
London Police Chief Thai Truong took to social media Sunday to express his frustration with the incident.
'The accused is a prolific offender with dozens of prior convictions,' Truong wrote on X.
'He was out on bail at the time of the attack. Thanks to the swift response of our officers, he was quickly identified and taken into custody. He remains there, and we will do everything in our power to contest his release.'
We recognize the growing concerns about safety downtown, especially following the recent stabbing on Richmond Row.
The accused is a prolific offender with dozens of prior convictions. He was out on bail at the time of the attack. Thanks to the swift response of our officers, he… — LPS Chief Thai Truong (@LPSChiefTruong) July 13, 2025
Ward 13 Councillor David Ferreira agreed with Chief Truong on the topic of bail reform. He would like to see upper levels of government change policies to prevent incidents like this from happening by repeat offenders.
'This was a guy who happened to be in the downtown, but this is a London safety issue,' said Ferreira.
'This happens downtown, just like this happens out on the outskirts of the city or anywhere throughout the city. This is not a case where only issues are happening downtown. Trying to pigeonhole downtown with certain issues and saying that's a downtown issue is not correct.'
Joe Kool's stabbing London
Councillor David Ferreira is calling for better bail reform, and said repeat offenders are a 'London Safety Issue'. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
Smith is frustrated by negative press around this incident, saying this could have happened anywhere in the city.
'This guy has a record like, a mile long, and he's committed acts elsewhere. He just happened to be down in our area,' said Smith, who commended the increased response by police recently.
'Their presence is so much more than a year ago and two years ago. There's an issue with criminals that are released by the court system. That's the problem. But the police are doing a job, and I think that's this incident accepted, people feel a lot safer than they did a year ago or two years ago. More has to be done, but the police are doing a really good job.'Dentelbeck remains in custody with his next court date scheduled for July 18.