Accused in uptown shooting gets time to secure lawyer
One of three people charged with first-degree murder in an uptown shooting last week appeared in court on Wednesday.
Hayden David Donald-Bentley, 20, of Foulis Court, was charged with first-degree murder on May 14 in the death of Thomas Connor Wilson, according to court documents.
Police
said Tuesday last week
that they responded to a report of shots fired in the Carmarthen Street and King Street area and found a 20-year-old dead in a vehicle. Police warned residents in the area to shelter in place, and an hours-long manhunt for three suspects ensued uptown and also on Clover Court in West Saint John.
Donald-Bentley was arrested May 13, according to court records, with
police saying May 14 that
the second two suspects were in custody.
On Wednesday, Donald-Bentley appeared by video and lawyer Reid Chedore, representing Brian Munro, asked for an additional two weeks so the two could talk, saying Munro had not yet been engaged on the case. Judge Lucie Mathurin adjourned the case to June 3.
Donald-Bentley also faces weapons charges dated to Jan. 17. Charles Bryant, Donald-Bentley's lawyer on those charges, asked for the case to be rescheduled to the same date.
Sheldon Scrubb, 30, of Hampton Road in Quispamsis,
has also been charged with first-degree murder
in the case and is set to return to court May 28. His lawyer Nathan Gorham told Brunswick News last week that he intends to plead not guilty.
On May 14, police said a 17-year-old appeared and was charged with first-degree murder, and was set to return Wednesday.
A publication ban under the Youth Criminal Justice Act covers the identity of that defendant.
- with files from Barbara Simpson, Brice McVicar
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Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Are there any bears here?' Hamilton kids, some as young as 10, are armed with bear spray. What can be done?
Kids are using bear spray in swarmings, robberies, assaults and large brawls. Hamilton police are seizing it from high school lockers and from teens and children — some as young as 10 years old — who have armed themselves for 'protection' or to hurt others. These concerning incidents, which police warn are on the rise, are behind a request for the City of Hamilton to consider a bylaw regulating the sale of the noxious substance. There is no reason anyone needs bear spray in the city, said Ward 7 Coun. Esther Pauls, who is putting forward a motion to the general issues committee June 11. Project Street Light is targeting youth crime on the Mountain, following swarmings, assaults and 'Are there any bears here?' she asked, incredulously. 'Have you seen any?' Crimes involving a 'burning liquid spray,' including bear spray and mace, have more than doubled in the last four years, according to an analysis by police. And assault with a weapon and weapon possession offences were one of only a handful of categories of youth crime that rose last year, while other types of crimes committed by young people fell. There were 138 crimes involving a burning liquid spray last year, compared to 68 in 2020. This year, there were 41 incidents as of April 24, and police know there have been more since, said Supt. Dave Hennick, whose duties include overseeing youth crime and some aspects of crime prevention. 'There has been a troubling increase in the amount of incidents involving bear spray in city,' he said, adding that is why police are pushing for a proactive approach to keep the city safer. Hennick requested the statistical analysis because of those concerns and then reached out to Pauls. The motion asks city staff to investigate the feasibility of a bylaw to regulate the sale of 'deterrent spray' in Hamilton. Both Hennick and Pauls noted with alarm that there have been incidents in Hamilton involving offenders as young as 10. Children younger than 12 cannot be charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. 'It's unbelievable,' said Pauls, who is also a member of the police board. More than half the incidents documented by police involve young offenders between the ages of 10 and 19, while nearly half the victims are also young. Bear spray — made with capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers spicy — causes burning eyes, throat and skin irritation and can temporarily cause difficulty seeing or breathing. It's only intended use is in the wilderness, to deter bear or wildlife attacks. Hamilton police are seizing bear spray from high school lockers and from teens and children — some as young as 10 years old — who have armed themselves for 'protection' or to hurt others. Hennick said this is important because not only are younger people more likely to arm themselves with bear spray, they are more likely to be victims as well. Other cities in Canada have reported similar increases in bear spray incidents, with some taking steps to explore or impose bylaws, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Edmonton and Winnipeg. In March, for instance, the City of Kelowna in B.C. approved a bylaw that limits the sale to adults, requires businesses to keep records of sales for three years and requires sprays be kept out of the reach of public. Hennick said the hope is a Hamilton bylaw would limit the sale to those 19 and older, set expectations to retailers, such as checking identification and keep records of sales, and keep bear spray and mace out of reach of youths. 'I feel like this is a responsible step for us,' he said. Beyond enacting laws in Hamilton, Hennick said the hope is the city will also appeal to the Attorney General and Solicitor General to push for provincial changes. While it's not clear exactly why there has been such an increase in bear spray incidents, police believe the fact that it is easily accessible is part of the reason it has become the weapon of choice for many youth. It's simply easier to get than other weapons. The incidents in Hamilton have included fights between high school students and robberies. Paid duty officers have been required for security at the McDonalds near Lime Ridge Mall because of bear spray and other violent incidents involving teens. Many of the incidents are happening in Division 3, which covers the Hamilton Mountain, along with Flamborough, Dundas, Ancaster and Binbrook/Glanbrook. This area is also the most populous of the three policing divisions. Spike comes amid warning that the substance has become 'accessible weapon of choice' for In October, 15-year-old Jayden Russell was killed in a crash on the Lincoln Alexander Parkway. He was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a street race that happened amid escalating conflict between students at his high school, St. Jean de Brébeuf, and another, Nora Frances Henderson, that involved a large brawl and bear spray incidents. Last month, a 15-year-old was charged after allegedly forcing his way into a home and assaulting a family with bear spray and a knife. A nine-month-old baby was among those affected by the bear spray. According to the 2024 youth crime report, there were 959 young people between 12 and 17 involved in crime in Hamilton last year. This was a 1.5 per cent decrease from 2023, but 2.9 per cent higher than the five-year average. Bear spray use among kids is on the rise. Despite the overall decrease, several key areas of youth crime increased year-over-year in 2024. Assault with a weapon increased by 29 per cent to 84 incidents, possession of weapons increased by 53 per cent to 23 incidents, disturbances increased by 75 per cent to 21 incidents and vehicle thefts increased by 32 per cent to 29 incidents. Vehicle thefts have been a problem across the province, with 1,625 vehicles reported stolen in Hamilton alone last year. The issue is not just related to young offenders, but youths are among those charged. In some Hamilton cases, the thefts appear to be crimes of opportunity, including 'warm up thefts' where vehicles left running are stolen. For instance, a man missed the birth of his second child in Hamilton because teens allegedly stole his car while he was picking his daughter up from daycare. However, other incidents appear more organized, with people using trackers and cloned key fobs to steal vehicles from driveways. On May 29, three Hamilton teens were arrested and charged after an investigation by Niagara police into an alleged organized auto theft ring tied to 40 stolen vehicles. Police alleged electronic trackers were used to follow and steal primarily Lexus and Toyota vehicles from residential neighbourhoods. The stolen vehicles were brought to Hamilton, where their factory-installed trackers were disabled before being transported to Montreal and placed in shipping containers bound for Iraq. In the middle of the night on May 27, police were called to Rymal and Fletcher roads for people trying to steal vehicles from driveways. When officers arrived, they saw a group of teens flee in a white van. The van was abandoned on the side of Fletcher Road and police arrested an 11-year-old and a 14-year old nearby. The older child was charged. Nicole O'Reilly is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. noreilly@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Are there any bears here?' Hamilton kids, some as young as 10, are armed with bear spray. How are they getting it?
Kids are using bear spray in swarmings, robberies, assaults and large brawls. Hamilton police are seizing it from high school lockers and from teens and children — some as young as 10 years old — who have armed themselves for 'protection' or to hurt others. These concerning incidents, which police warn are on the rise, are behind a request for the City of Hamilton to consider a bylaw regulating the sale of the noxious substance. There is no reason anyone needs bear spray in the city, said Ward 7 Coun. Esther Pauls, who is putting forward a motion to the general issues committee June 11. Project Street Light is targeting youth crime on the Mountain, following swarmings, assaults and 'Are there any bears here?' she asked, incredulously. 'Have you seen any?' Crimes involving a 'burning liquid spray,' including bear spray and mace, have more than doubled in the last four years, according to an analysis by police. And assault with a weapon and weapon possession offences were one of only a handful of categories of youth crime that rose last year, while other types of crimes committed by young people fell. There were 138 crimes involving a burning liquid spray last year, compared to 68 in 2020. This year, there were 41 incidents as of April 24, and police know there have been more since, said Supt. Dave Hennick, whose duties include overseeing youth crime and some aspects of crime prevention. 'There has been a troubling increase in the amount of incidents involving bear spray in city,' he said, adding that is why police are pushing for a proactive approach to keep the city safer. Hennick requested the statistical analysis because of those concerns and then reached out to Pauls. The motion asks city staff to investigate the feasibility of a bylaw to regulate the sale of 'deterrent spray' in Hamilton. Both Hennick and Pauls noted with alarm that there have been incidents in Hamilton involving offenders as young as 10. Children younger than 12 cannot be charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. 'It's unbelievable,' said Pauls, who is also a member of the police board. More than half the incidents documented by police involve young offenders between the ages of 10 and 19, while nearly half the victims are also young. Bear spray — made with capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers spicy — causes burning eyes, throat and skin irritation and can temporarily cause difficulty seeing or breathing. It's only intended use is in the wilderness, to deter bear or wildlife attacks. Hamilton police are seizing bear spray from high school lockers and from teens and children — some as young as 10 years old — who have armed themselves for 'protection' or to hurt others. Hennick said this is important because not only are younger people more likely to arm themselves with bear spray, they are more likely to be victims as well. Other cities in Canada have reported similar increases in bear spray incidents, with some taking steps to explore or impose bylaws, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Edmonton and Winnipeg. In March, for instance, the City of Kelowna in B.C. approved a bylaw that limits the sale to adults, requires businesses to keep records of sales for three years and requires sprays be kept out of the reach of public. Hennick said the hope is a Hamilton bylaw would limit the sale to those 19 and older, set expectations to retailers, such as checking identification and keep records of sales, and keep bear spray and mace out of reach of youths. 'I feel like this is a responsible step for us,' he said. Beyond enacting laws in Hamilton, Hennick said the hope is the city will also appeal to the Attorney General and Solicitor General to push for provincial changes. While it's not clear exactly why there has been such an increase in bear spray incidents, police believe the fact that it is easily accessible is part of the reason it has become the weapon of choice for many youth. It's simply easier to get than other weapons. The incidents in Hamilton have included fights between high school students and robberies. Paid duty officers have been required for security at the McDonalds near Lime Ridge Mall because of bear spray and other violent incidents involving teens. Many of the incidents are happening in Division 3, which covers the Hamilton Mountain, along with Flamborough, Dundas, Ancaster and Binbrook/Glanbrook. This area is also the most populous of the three policing divisions. Spike comes amid warning that the substance has become 'accessible weapon of choice' for In October, 15-year-old Jayden Russell was killed in a crash on the Lincoln Alexander Parkway. He was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a street race that happened amid escalating conflict between students at his high school, St. Jean de Brébeuf, and another, Nora Frances Henderson, that involved a large brawl and bear spray incidents. Last month, a 15-year-old was charged after allegedly forcing his way into a home and assaulting a family with bear spray and a knife. A nine-month-old baby was among those affected by the bear spray. According to the 2024 youth crime report, there were 959 young people between 12 and 17 involved in crime in Hamilton last year. This was a 1.5 per cent decrease from 2023, but 2.9 per cent higher than the five-year average. Bear spray use among kids is on the rise. Despite the overall decrease, several key areas of youth crime increased year-over-year in 2024. Assault with a weapon increased by 29 per cent to 84 incidents, possession of weapons increased by 53 per cent to 23 incidents, disturbances increased by 75 per cent to 21 incidents and vehicle thefts increased by 32 per cent to 29 incidents. Vehicle thefts have been a problem across the province, with 1,625 vehicles reported stolen in Hamilton alone last year. The issue is not just related to young offenders, but youths are among those charged. In some Hamilton cases, the thefts appear to be crimes of opportunity, including 'warm up thefts' where vehicles left running are stolen. For instance, a man missed the birth of his second child in Hamilton because teens allegedly stole his car while he was picking his daughter up from daycare. However, other incidents appear more organized, with people using trackers and cloned key fobs to steal vehicles from driveways. On May 29, three Hamilton teens were arrested and charged after an investigation by Niagara police into an alleged organized auto theft ring tied to 40 stolen vehicles. Police alleged electronic trackers were used to follow and steal primarily Lexus and Toyota vehicles from residential neighbourhoods. The stolen vehicles were brought to Hamilton, where their factory-installed trackers were disabled before being transported to Montreal and placed in shipping containers bound for Iraq. In the middle of the night on May 27, police were called to Rymal and Fletcher roads for people trying to steal vehicles from driveways. When officers arrived, they saw a group of teens flee in a white van. The van was abandoned on the side of Fletcher Road and police arrested an 11-year-old and a 14-year old nearby. The older child was charged. Nicole O'Reilly is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. noreilly@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Bear spray use among kids is on the rise. What could Hamilton do about it?
Kids are using bear spray in swarmings, robberies, assaults and large brawls. Hamilton police are seizing it from high school lockers and from teens and children — some as young as 10 years old — who have armed themselves for 'protection' or to hurt others. These concerning incidents, which police warn are on the rise, are behind a request for the City of Hamilton to consider a bylaw regulating the sale of the noxious substance. There is no reason anyone needs bear spray in the city, said Ward 7 Coun. Esther Pauls, who is putting forward a motion to the general issues committee June 11. Project Street Light is targeting youth crime on the Mountain, following swarmings, assaults and 'Are there any bears here?' she asked, incredulously. 'Have you seen any?' Crimes involving a 'burning liquid spray,' including bear spray and mace, have more than doubled in the last four years, according to an analysis by police. And assault with a weapon and weapon possession offences were one of only a handful of categories of youth crime that rose last year, while other types of crimes committed by young people fell. There were 138 crimes involving a burning liquid spray last year, compared to 68 in 2020. This year, there were 41 incidents as of April 24, and police know there have been more since, said Supt. Dave Hennick, whose duties include overseeing youth crime and some aspects of crime prevention. 'There has been a troubling increase in the amount of incidents involving bear spray in city,' he said, adding that is why police are pushing for a proactive approach to keep the city safer. Hamilton police in the parking lot at Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School, where two students were arrested in May after an incident allegedly involving bear spray. Hennick requested the statistical analysis because of those concerns and then reached out to Pauls. The motion asks city staff to investigate the feasibility of a bylaw to regulate the sale of 'deterrent spray' in Hamilton. Both Hennick and Pauls noted with alarm that there have been incidents in Hamilton involving offenders as young as 10. Children younger than 12 cannot be charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. 'It's unbelievable,' said Pauls, who is also a member of the police board. More than half the incidents documented by police involve young offenders between the ages of 10 and 19, while nearly half the victims are also young. Bear spray — made with capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers spicy — causes burning eyes, throat and skin irritation and can temporarily cause difficulty seeing or breathing. It's only intended use is in the wilderness, to deter bear or wildlife attacks. Hamilton police are seizing bear spray from high school lockers and from teens and children — some as young as 10 years old — who have armed themselves for 'protection' or to hurt others. Hennick said this is important because not only are younger people more likely to arm themselves with bear spray, they are more likely to be victims as well. Other cities in Canada have reported similar increases in bear spray incidents, with some taking steps to explore or impose bylaws, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Edmonton and Winnipeg. In March, for instance, the City of Kelowna in B.C. approved a bylaw that limits the sale to adults, requires businesses to keep records of sales for three years and requires sprays be kept out of the reach of public. Hennick said the hope is a Hamilton bylaw would limit the sale to those 19 and older, set expectations to retailers, such as checking identification and keep records of sales, and keep bear spray and mace out of reach of youths. 'I feel like this is a responsible step for us,' he said. Beyond enacting laws in Hamilton, Hennick said the hope is the city will also appeal to the Attorney General and Solicitor General to push for provincial changes. While it's not clear exactly why there has been such an increase in bear spray incidents, police believe the fact that it is easily accessible is part of the reason it has become the weapon of choice for many youth. It's simply easier to get than other weapons. The incidents in Hamilton have included fights between high school students and robberies. Paid duty officers have been required for security at the McDonalds near Lime Ridge Mall because of bear spray and other violent incidents involving teens. Many of the incidents are happening in Division 3, which covers the Hamilton Mountain, along with Flamborough, Dundas, Ancaster and Binbrook/Glanbrook. This area is also the most populous of the three policing divisions. Spike comes amid warning that the substance has become 'accessible weapon of choice' for In October, 15-year-old Jayden Russell was killed in a crash on the Lincoln Alexander Parkway. He was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a street race that happened amid escalating conflict between students at his high school, St. Jean de Brébeuf, and another, Nora Frances Henderson, that involved a large brawl and bear spray incidents. Last month, a 15-year-old was charged after allegedly forcing his way into a home and assaulting a family with bear spray and a knife. A nine-month-old baby was among those affected by the bear spray. According to the 2024 youth crime report, there were 959 young people between 12 and 17 involved in crime in Hamilton last year. This was a 1.5 per cent decrease from 2023, but 2.9 per cent higher than the five-year average. Bear spray use among kids is on the rise. Despite the overall decrease, several key areas of youth crime increased year-over-year in 2024. Assault with a weapon increased by 29 per cent to 84 incidents, possession of weapons increased by 53 per cent to 23 incidents, disturbances increased by 75 per cent to 21 incidents and vehicle thefts increased by 32 per cent to 29 incidents. Vehicle thefts have been a problem across the province, with 1,625 vehicles reported stolen in Hamilton alone last year. The issue is not just related to young offenders, but youths are among those charged. In some Hamilton cases, the thefts appear to be crimes of opportunity, including 'warm up thefts' where vehicles left running are stolen. For instance, a man missed the birth of his second child in Hamilton because teens allegedly stole his car while he was picking his daughter up from daycare. However, other incidents appear more organized, with people using trackers and cloned key fobs to steal vehicles from driveways. On May 29, three Hamilton teens were arrested and charged after an investigation by Niagara police into an alleged organized auto theft ring tied to 40 stolen vehicles. Police alleged electronic trackers were used to follow and steal primarily Lexus and Toyota vehicles from residential neighbourhoods. The stolen vehicles were brought to Hamilton, where their factory-installed trackers were disabled before being transported to Montreal and placed in shipping containers bound for Iraq. In the middle of the night on May 27, police were called to Rymal and Fletcher roads for people trying to steal vehicles from driveways. When officers arrived, they saw a group of teens flee in a white van. The van was abandoned on the side of Fletcher Road and police arrested an 11-year-old and a 14-year old nearby. The older child was charged. Nicole O'Reilly is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. noreilly@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
