Latest news with #BelindaSarkodie
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
'She thought she was safe here': Ghanaian woman killed in Hamilton shooting remembered as honest and kind
Belinda Sarkodie left Ghana in 2024 to seek refuge in Canada. On Friday, she was killed in Hamilton while she was with a friend and they were waiting for a bus. "That's not fair ... She thought she was safe here," said Evelyn Aidoo. Although not a blood relative, Aidoo was regarded as 26-year-old's aunt — someone Sarkodie considered family away from home. Aidoo described Sarkodie as "kind, honest, cheerful, supportive." They were supposed to meet on Saturday. But the day before, she found out about Sarkodie's death through social media. "I was sent a message through a clip that a young Ghanaian had been killed in Hamilton. Her name was Belinda and I didn't think it was the same Belinda I knew. "I didn't want to believe it." On Monday afternoon, Aidoo spoke to CBC Hamilton by the bus stop where Sarkodie was killed while she was there with others to lay flowers. Sarkodie, who was born in the community of Konongo in Ghana, was the youngest of three children and helping support her mother back home. Those who knew her said she was smart and had big dreams. According to police, Sarkodie was an "innocent bystander" during the shooting near James Street North and King Street West. Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a 17-year-old suspect. Co-workers 'are all devastated' Through a statement from Hamilton police, Sarkodie's family said she was an "affable person known for her warmth, kindness and gentle spirit," and leaves behind a sister and mother in Ghana, and a brother who lives in Manitoba. Sarkodie worked at the Hamilton airport, but made it a habit to visit Jackson Square on Fridays for grocery shopping. Her friend and co-worker, Grace Nasiru, said Sarkodie had been working a lot, and made plans to go out and enjoy last weekend. They had spoken that morning to iron out details of their outing, Nasiru said. Nasiru said Sarkodie called in the afternoon, less than an hour before she was shot, to check up on her since she was also having a busy week. "I got off the phone with her, like just 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and [a friend] called me back that my friend is lying here dead," Nasiru said from outside Jackson Square on Monday. She said Sarkodie was standing with a mutual friend at the bus stop when the friend walked away to check if the bus was coming soon. "When he turned, my sister was on the floor." The friend called Nasiru first, and she and others immediately left work and travelled downtown to identify Sarkodie's body. One of them told CBC News that the body was covered with a blanket when they arrived. The days since have been a "nightmare," said Nasiru. Sarkodie, one of several Ghanaian women working in the airport's ground handling area, was a hard worker and "favoured" by supervisors, she said. "If you go to my workplace, it's not an easy thing. They are not even able to work. They are all devastated." Vigil planned for Friday downtown Nasiru said Sarkodie was trying to save money to continue her education in environmental science, after graduating with honours in Ghana. Emmanuel Duodu, president of the Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO), said he was shocked about Sarkodie's death. He didn't know her personally, but heard from the community that she was a smart and personable woman with "hopes and aspirations" in Canada. "What I'm telling everyone in our community is that we have to stay strong," he said. Duodu said he wants to encourage the Ghanaian community in Canada to go about their lives without fear. "This doesn't reflect the community we live in, in this country." Duodu said many people, both within and outside the community, have reached out, asking what they can do to help. "At this point, I think we are also trying to gather ourselves to do some little fundraising here and there for the burial." The GCAO set up a GoFundMe, aiming to raise $40,000 for Sarkodie's funeral and to support her family. The Ghanaian Association of Hamilton said in a media release Tuesday that it is "with deep shock and profound sadness," it mourns "the tragic death of a member of our community." It said a vigil for Sarkodie is planned for Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. at King and James streets. The association said it is also working with other Ghanaian organizations to assist the family back in Ghana. Aidoo said Sarkodie's family wants to travel to Canada to say their last goodbyes to their loved one. She also said the family and community hope for an arrest and charges. "Belinda deserves justice."
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Innocent bystander fatally shot in downtown Hamilton was a ‘caring person with a good heart,' says brother
Belinda Sarkodie, 26, was killed in a shooting in downtown Hamilton on Friday, July 11, 2025. (TikTok photos) A 26-year-old woman who was killed in a double shooting in downtown Hamilton last Friday was a 'caring person with a good heart,' according to her brother. Richard Sarkodie said his sister, Belinda, was the youngest of three kids, and was her mother's best friend. He said that they were the only ones who lived in Canada, adding that Belinda called him and their mom every day after work and that he and Belinda spoke on the phone every Friday – her day off. 'I tried calling her throughout the night and no one was answering the phone,' he said. Belinda Sarkodie, who arrived in Canada last year from Ghana and was working in Hamilton, was hit by a stray bullet late last Friday afternoon after gunfire broke out on King Street East, near Jackson Square shopping centre. She died at the scene. A man in his 20s was also shot. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital. The shooter, meanwhile, fled the area on foot. Sarkodie said his sister was the 'only one' he'd call when he was going through a challenge in his life. 'She would be like, 'No, no, you know this happened in the Bible. This too shall pass.' And we just laugh and then it would be okay,' he shared, adding that Belinda was planning to move to Manitoba with him in the near future. 'It was quite unfortunate that this all happened because I already planned everything. I moved out from where I was and then she was about to join me in a few months time and (then) this tragedy happened. It's not been easy.' Richard Sarkodie Richard Sarkodie, the brother of a 26-year-old woman fatally shot in Hamilton on July 11, speaks with CTV News Toronto. Victim had 'aspirations,' says Ghanian association Emmanuel Duodu, the president of the Ghanian Canadian Association of Ontario, called Belinda a 'lady who had aspirations.' 'She was very enthusiastic about what she wanted to accomplish in this country,' he said. Belinda Sarkodie Belinda Sarkodie, 26, was killed in a shooting in downtown Hamilton on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Hamilton Police Service handout) The woman's colleagues showed up at the scene on Friday night to pay their respects. They said she was waiting for the bus with a boy they know at the time of the deadly shooting. 'They were talking and he told me he just turned and later turned back to tell her did you hear gunshots, (and) when he turned back to look at her she was just lying on the floor full of blood,' Grace Nasiru, the victim's co-worker, said on Friday. Nasiru knew Sarkodie for seven months. 'She's a likeable person. Her boss likes her at work. Everyone around her likes her,' she said. '(Belinda) just laughs it over. She's just a good person.' Sign bullet holes Hamilton A bullet-riddled sign is seen near the scene of a fatal July 11 shooting in downtown Hamilton. Today, a sign near the scene of the shooting could be seen punctured with bullet holes. 'I heard like firing, like after each other, like tuf tuf tuf tuf, and I see like people running then I went like inside and I hid in the office,' said Shehad Amghazami, who witnessed the incident.. Police searching for a teenage boy they believe is responsible for shooting On Sunday, Hamilton police obtained permission to identify 17-year-old Hamilton resident Mackale Lavoie, whom they believe may be responsible for the deadly double shooting. They say he's wanted for one count of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. 'Investigators are actively looking for Mackale and encourage him to reach out to his lawyer and make arrangements to turn himself in,' Det. Stf. Sgt. John Obrovic said on Monday afternoon. He said police believe Mackale 'encountered' three individuals downtown and that they 'appear' to be the intended targets. This investigation in ongoing and anyone with further information is asked to contact Hamilton police at 905-546-4925 or Crime Stoppers anonymously. With files from CTV News Toronto's Allison Hurst
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Police identify 17-year-old as suspect in killing of 26-year-old woman in downtown Hamilton
Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a teenager suspected in the fatal shooting of Belinda Sarkodie in Hamilton's downtown core. 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.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Police identify 17-year-old as suspect in killing of 26-year-old woman in downtown Hamilton
Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a teenager suspected in the fatal shooting of Belinda Sarkodie in Hamilton's downtown core. 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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Police identify 17-year-old as suspect in killing of 26-year-old woman in downtown Hamilton
Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a teenager suspected in the fatal shooting of Belinda Sarkodie in Hamilton's downtown core. 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.
