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 police 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
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The 'hero' policeman who died saving lives during NYC skyscraper shooting
A father who was a serving police officer is among four people who were killed in a shooting attack at an office building in a busy district of New York City. Didarul Islam, 36, was shot dead while providing security for the site on Park Avenue. Officials said he had migrated to the US from Bangladesh, had two children and was expecting a third with his pregnant wife. He died "a hero", they said. Paying tribute to the late officer, New York Mayor Eric Adams said he was "doing what he does best... saving lives. He was protecting New Yorkers". Three civilians, two male and one female, were also killed, Adams said. Details about them have not been made public. Another man is in a critical condition. Suspected lone gunman Shane Tamura, a 27-year-old from Nevada, also died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said. He had a "documented mental health history", and his potential motive is unknown. Tamura is believed to have shot Islam dead first as he entered the skyscraper at 345 Park Avenue. He went on to attack others, ascending to the building's 33rd floor before turning his gun on himself. Full story: Four dead in shooting at New York City office building A post on the New York Police Department (NYPD) account on X said Islam "represented the very best of our department", and said "he was protecting New Yorkers from danger when his life was tragically cut short today". In a press conference on Monday, the city's Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the late officer served in the NYPD's 47th District, in the Bronx. She said: "He was doing the job that we asked him to do. He put himself in harm's way. He made the ultimate sacrifice." Tisch continued: "He died as he lived - a hero." During the conference, Adams said the late officer was "a true-blue New Yorker, not only in a uniform he wore but in his spirit and energy of loving this city". The mayor said he had met Islam's family after the attack, and had expressed his admiration for the late officer, who had served in his job for more than three years. "This was his dad's only son," the mayor reflected. "I think about Jordan, my child, and it is unimaginable to experience a loss of this magnitude." Members of Islam's Bangladeshi community in the Bronx spent Monday evening visiting the late officer's home, which he shared with his family and parents, the New York Times reported. They described to the newspaper how Islam had migrated to the US and provided security for a school before becoming a policeman. They said their friend had been an active member of his mosque who had mentored young men in the area. One of Islam's mentees, Marjanul Karim, explained why Islam had moved from the school to work in a profession that was seen as less safe. "He wanted to leave behind a legacy for his family, something they could be proud of," Mr Karim said.
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
FBI helps takedown of NJ gun trafficking operation in Plainfield, prosecutor says
PLAINFIELD – A South Jersey man is facing more than three dozen counts of possessing and dealing guns, including handguns, an assault weapon and a machine gun, after a six-month investigation by the Plainfield Police Department, the Union County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force and the FBI. Anthony Rogers, 29, of Willingboro, was charged with 15 counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, three counts of unlawful possession of an assault weapon, one count of unlawful possession of a machine gun, two counts of unlawful transport of a firearm into the state, two counts of third-degree receiving stolen property, three counts of unlawful sale of an assault weapon, one count of unlawful sale of a machine gun, 10 counts of fourth-degree possession of a large-capacity magazine, three counts of unlawful possession of hollow-point bullets, one count of unlawful possession of a defaced firearm and 14 counts of unlawful transports/sale of weapons, according to Union County Prosecutor William Daniel. During the investigation, Rogers allegedly sold nearly two dozen illegal firearms to an individual, including three assault weapons and one machine gun, Daniel said. Rogers was arrested on July 22 without incident during a vehicle stop based on an active arrest warrant. His passenger, 34-year-old Quran Hannibal Edwards, of Plainfield, was also arrested and charged with third-degree possession of cocaine, Daniel said. After Rogers was arrested, the Union County SWAT team a searched a home on East 6th Street in Plainfield and seized three pounds of marijuana and two handguns, which led to the arrest of 26-year-old Cameron Hannah, of Plainfield, who was charged with fourth-degree possession of more than 6 ounces of marijuana and third-degree possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Email: alewis@ Alexander Lewis is an award-winning reporter and photojournalist whose work spans many topics. This article originally appeared on FBI helps gun trafficking operation takedown in Plainfield: prosecutor Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Woman stabbed to death in Romford linked to man who died on train tracks
A woman in her sixties found stabbed to death in Romford is believed by police to have known a man who died on railway tracks nearby just hours earlier. The Metropolitan Police was alerted to concerns for the welfare of a woman in east London on Sunday evening. Officers rushed to a home in Bushy Close at around 9pm. They found a woman in her sixties there who had suffered multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The force said it was working with British Transport Police (BTP) following information that connects the woman's death to another death of a 20-year-old man on the train tracks at Romford railway station earlier on Sunday. Police said early inquiries indicated that the man and woman were known to each other. BTP is treating the man's death as non-suspicious. The Met said the woman's family had been notified and were being supported by specialist officers. Police said no arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing. Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, from the Met's specialist crime command, said: 'Our thoughts remain with the victim's family at this difficult time as we investigate the circumstances behind this terrible incident. 'At this stage, we believe this to be an isolated incident with no wider risk to the public.' Detective Superintendent Simon Giles, from the East area investigations team, added: 'I understand that the incident is distressing for the community and we are working closely with our colleagues in the Specialist Crime Command to progress the investigation as quickly as possible. 'Those in the area today can expect to see our officers and we encourage anyone with any information to speak with them.' Those with information can call 101, report online or contact 'X'@METCC quoting CAD6914/27JUL.
