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CBC
12 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
2 days ago
- CTV News
Hamilton police 'actively looking' for 17-year-old suspect in shooting of bystander
Hamilton police 'actively looking' for 17-year-old suspect in shooting of bystander Hamilton police provide an update on the search for a 17-year-old suspect wanted in connection to a deadly shooting on Friday.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Second-degree murder charge laid after man found dead behind abandoned Hamilton house
A Hamilton Police vehicle is pictured in Hamilton, Ont., Friday, May 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn A Hamilton man is facing charges of second-degree murder and indignity to a body after a person was found dead behind an abandoned house last summer. In a news release issued Monday, police said they were called to the property at 1452 Upper James Street, south of the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway, for a report of a deceased person. The property, which police said was abandoned, had a large field behind it and a 'number of people' were living in and around the vicinity. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the body of Adam Parrish, located outside under a piece of plywood. Police ordered an autopsy, the preliminary findings of which 'raised the possibility the death may be suspicious.' Adam Parrish Adam Parrish is seen in this undated image. (Hamilton Police Service) Detectives conducted numerous interviews with witnesses and executed search warrants following the discovery of Parrish's body, police said. After the autopsy was completed, police determined that Parrish did not die of natural causes and 39-year-old Hamilton resident Brent LeFrancois was charged as a result. Police did not reveal Parrish's cause of death. 'Hamilton Police continue to extend its deepest condolences to Adam's family during this incredibly difficult time,' police said. It's unclear if Parrish and LeFrancois knew each other or if either party was living on the property.
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Hamilton man charged with murder after investigation into body found last summer, police say
Social Sharing Hamilton police have arrested and charged a 39-year-old man with murder following an investigation into a man's suspicious death in July 2024. Brent LeFrancois of Hamilton faces charges of second-degree murder and indignity to a body, in the death of Adam Parrish, Hamilton Police Service said in a news release Monday morning. A police spokesperson confirmed to CBC Hamilton that the charges relate to an investigation they told the public about a little over a year ago after responding to a report of a body near an abandoned house at 1452 Upper James St., on July 6, 2024. "Hamilton Police continue to extend its deepest condolences to Adam's family during this incredibly difficult time," the service said. Police said Monday that they found Parrish under a piece of plywood outside and said "a number of people were living in and around the vicinity." "An autopsy was conducted, and preliminary findings raised the possibility the death may be suspicious," police said. Detectives conducted "numerous" interviews with witnesses and searches under warrants, police said, noting a full autopsy eventually confirmed Parrish did not die of natural causes. Police have not publicly shared how they believe Parrish died, nor the circumstances surrounding his death.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Hamilton police lay second-degree murder after man found dead behind abandoned house
A Hamilton Police vehicle is pictured in Hamilton, Ont., Friday, May 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn A Hamilton man is facing charges of second-degree murder and indignity to a body after a person was found dead behind an abandoned house last summer. In a news release issued Monday, police said they were called to the property at 1452 Upper James Street, south of the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway, for a report of a deceased person. The property, which police said was abandoned, had a large field behind it and a 'number of people' were living in and around the vicinity. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the body of Adam Parrish, located outside under a piece of plywood. Police ordered an autopsy, the preliminary findings of which 'raised the possibility the death may be suspicious.' Adam Parrish Adam Parrish is seen in this undated image. (Hamilton Police Service) Detectives conducted numerous interviews with witnesses and executed search warrants following the discovery of Parrish's body, police said. After the autopsy was completed, police determined that Parrish did not die of natural causes and 39-year-old Hamilton resident Brent LeFrancois was charged as a result. Police did not reveal Parrish's cause of death. 'Hamilton Police continue to extend its deepest condolences to Adam's family during this incredibly difficult time,' police said. It's unclear if Parrish and LeFrancois knew each other or if either party was living on the property.
