Police identify 17-year-old as suspect in killing of 26-year-old woman in downtown Hamilton
In a news release on Sunday evening, Hamilton said they're looking for Mackale Lavoie, 17. The warrant for his arrest was issued under a second-degree murder charge and two counts of attempted murder.
Police said that at 5:25 p.m. ET on Friday, a "male suspect encountered a group" of three people near James Street North and King Street East who "appear to have been the intended targets."
"The male suspect opened fire, striking one of the individuals. As he continued to shoot at a second person, an innocent bystander — [Sarkodie] — was fatally struck," the news release said.
Sarkodie, 26, was pronounced dead on the scene. A man was also struck by the gunfire and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
On Saturday, police said Sarkodie was originally from Ghana, had immigrated to Canada in 2024 and was an innocent bystander who was out with a friend when she was killed.
Police said they obtained an order permitting the publication of Lavoie's identity. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, a judge can grant an exemption to release the identity of a person under 18 if "there is reason to believe that the young person is a danger to others" or the "publication of the information is necessary to assist in apprehending the young person."
Police urged the public to not approach Lavoie and to contact them immediately at 905-546-4925 or call 911 if anyone sees him.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
11 minutes ago
- CBS News
Brother, sister arrested in deadly 2022 shooting in Fort Lauderdale, police say
A brother and sister have been charged in a deadly shooting at a Fort Lauderdale store three years ago, police say. On March 17, 2022, Steven Black was at Tony's Market, at 800 NW 22 Road, when a man armed with a gun walked in and fatally shot him. The shooting was captured on the store's video surveillance system. Fort Lauderdale police said with the assistance of Miami Beach police, Miami Gardens police and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network they were able to identify two suspects in the case, 24-year-old Warren Pollock and his 29-year-old sister Wanisha Pollock. Police said Warren Pollock was located and arrested in Augusta, Georgia on July 8, 2025 by U.S. Marshals. They said he was taken into custody following a grand jury indictment for one count of first-degree murder. Wanisha Pollock, a resident of Lauderhill, was arrested two days later on July 10, according to police. She's been charged with one count of accessory after the fact. Police have not said what led to the shooting or why Black was targeted.
CBS News
11 minutes ago
- CBS News
3 businesses burglarized overnight in Portage Park neighborhood, police say
Chicago police are investigating after three businesses were burglarized on the city's Northwest Side early Thursday morning. It happened in the 4600 block of West Belmont Avenue in the Portage Park neighborhood. An officer at the scene was investigating the smashed front windows and doors of the China Chef, La Michoacan Prime, and New Waves Laundromat. The owner of the Michoacan said nothing was taken from their shop. It is unclear if anything was taken from the other businesses. Police have yet to provide any further details about the burglaries. CBS News Chicago will provide updates as they become available.
CBS News
11 minutes ago
- CBS News
Two people arrested after North Texas ICE detention facility attack helped Benjamin Song avoid capture, court documents say
New court documents allege that a man wanted for shooting a North Texas police officer had help hiding from authorities for more than a week. Police say Benjamin Hanil Song shot an AR-style rifle at three law enforcement officers, injuring one of them, during an alleged ambush at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado late on July 4. The facility, south of Fort Worth, is being used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain undocumented immigrants. Song was able to evade law enforcement until he was arrested on July 15 at an apartment complex in North Dallas. On Thursday, Federal prosecutors revealed the arrests of John Phillip Thomas and Lynette Sharp for allegedly helping Song avoid capture. According to the complaint filed in federal court, Thomas picked up Song from the area around the Prairieland Detention Center on the night of July 5. Authorities said Song hid in nearby woods until he was picked up. After initially denying he knew Song, police said Thomas admitted the two were roommates until last month. Police said Thomas also admitted to buying clothes for Song on July 6. The next day, police said Sharp helped arrange transportation for Song from where Thomas was staying to another location. Court papers say Song, Thomas and Sharp were all members of group chats on the secure Signal app, on which the group allegedly discussed plans for the ambush on the Prairieland Detention Center. Thomas was arrested on July 10 and is currently in the Johnson County Jail, with a $500,000 bond. Sharp was arrested on July 13 and is in jail with a $250,000 bond.
