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Police have identified the 16-year-old boy who died in hospital after a shooting inside Jackson Square, the downtown Hamilton shopping mall, on Friday evening.
Officers were called to the mall Friday at around 5:10 p.m. Nabil Askafe, of Hamilton, was found in the mall suffering from life-threatening injuries, police say.
Paramedics rushed Askafe to hospital, where he died of his injuries.
In a news conference Saturday, Det. Robert Di Ianni of the homicide investigation unit said Askafe had recently immigrated from Syria with his mother, father and younger brother. “His family loves him, they’re deeply affected by this tragedy,” he said.
On Saturday, police also identified a 14-year-old suspect and said he was wanted for second-degree murder.
In a media release Sunday, police said the suspect had turned himself in that day. They did not say if charges had been laid.
‘Extensive search’ for suspect ends Sunday
Di Ianni told reporters on Saturday Askafe was walking on King Street W. near Hess Street towards the mall. The teens initially interacted with each other outside the mall.
He said they had a physical altercation where the 14-year-old brandished a firearm and shot Askafe. The altercation happened “just inside the doors” of the mall on King Street W. near a Himalayan restaurant.
Di Ianni said Askafe walked towards a Wireless+ store a few feet from the entrance, where he collapsed.
Di Ianni said the firearm appeared to be larger than a handgun. He added Askafe was able to walk himself to a different store after the shooting, where he collapsed and was located by first responders.
Hamilton police previously released the name and image of the 14-year-old suspect, who police allege shot Askafe.
They obtained judicial authorization to identify the suspect in order to locate him. As he is now in custody, CBC has removed his name and image as his identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police said Sunday he turned himself in “following an extensive search involving multiple Hamilton Police units.”
Police said Saturday they were working to identify a second individual who fled the scene. On Sunday, they said in the release they “have now spoken to all the individuals involved in Friday’s altercation at Jackson Square and are not looking for any more suspects.”
Di Ianni said Saturday the scene had been cleared and the mall was open for business, as usual. He said the mall’s security assisted with clearing the mall and cooperated with Hamilton police to provide video surveillance.
