KITCHENER — A man accused of first-degree murder had to be dragged out of Kitchener court after he broke down sobbing during his first appearance Wednesday.

Kadeem Gabriel, 21, was emotional throughout the brief hearing, wiping his eyes and turning to mouth words to four supporters in the courtroom.

And when the Kitchener man was remanded in custody for the alleged shooting death of Adam Jones last month, he fell to the floor as he resisted court officers, cried and called out.

“I don’t want to go, I don’t want to go,” the baby-faced suspect repeatedly said. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Supporters, including his girlfriend, were also in tears during the dramatic appearance. They declined comment outside court.

Jones, 25, died of a single gunshot wound Sept. 6 during a suspected drug deal gone wrong in the parking lot of a Belmont Avenue West apartment building in Kitchener.

A slight man in a black leather jacket and a black hoodie, Gabriel is the second suspect apprehended by a team of 12 detectives from Waterloo Regional Police.

He was arrested in Halifax, N.S., on Tuesday for breach of probation and returned to Kitchener overnight to face the first-degree murder charge.

Gabriel is also accused of assault and mischief in connection with an alleged domestic incident four days before the murder.

Numerous detectives were at the courthouse and Gabriel’s court appearance was delayed until early afternoon while he was being interviewed.

“He is experiencing a great deal of emotion,” said defence lawyer Brennan Smart, adding there are no plans at this point to apply for his release on bail.

The first suspect to be arrested — Jerome Phillips, 20, of Kitchener — was denied bail last week on a charge of accessory after the fact.

Detectives continue to investigate. Anyone with information should call police at 519-650-8500, ext. 8767, or leave an anonymous tipwith Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.