Hamilton police have issued an arrest warrant for 17-year-old Mackale Lavoie, charged with second-degree murder in the killing of 26-year-old Ghanaian national Belinda Sarkodie.
The shooting occurred last Friday (July 11) at approximately 5:25 p.m. in downtown Hamilton, Ontario.
According to authorities, Lavoie allegedly targeted a group on King Street, firing multiple shots. During the attack, Sarkodie an innocent bystander recently relocated from Ghana was fatally struck.
“Belinda was simply going about her day,” stated Detective Sergeant John Obrovac. Another male victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Sarkodie was pronounced dead at the scene. Police confirmed her family in Ghana and her brother in Manitoba, Canada, have been notified. Lavoie faces additional charges of attempted murder and remains at large. Authorities describe him as dangerous and urge public assistance in locating him.
The incident underscores ongoing gun violence concerns in Canadian urban centers, with Sarkodie becoming an unintended casualty of targeted violence.
