Police have officially named the 16-year-old teenager who lost his life following a shooting incident at Jackson Square, the downtown shopping center in Hamilton. The incident occurred on Friday evening, prompting law enforcement to respond to the mall around 5:10 p.m. The victim, identified as Nabil Askafe from Hamilton, was discovered in the mall with severe injuries and was swiftly transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his wounds.
During a press briefing on Saturday, Detective Robert Di Ianni revealed that Askafe, a recent immigrant from Syria along with his immediate family, tragically met his demise. Di Ianni emphasized the profound impact of the tragedy on the grieving family, highlighting their love for the deceased teenager.
The police have identified a 14-year-old individual as a suspect in the case and issued a warrant for second-degree murder. However, in a subsequent media release on Sunday, authorities confirmed that the suspect had turned himself in on the same day, although no information was provided regarding any charges filed against him.
Detective Di Ianni disclosed to the media that the altercation leading to the shooting took place near a Himalayan restaurant just inside the mall entrance on King Street W. The suspect allegedly brandished a firearm during a physical confrontation, resulting in Askafe being shot. Despite his injuries, Askafe managed to walk to a nearby store before collapsing, where emergency services located him.
Following an extensive search, the suspect surrendered to the authorities on Sunday. The police further clarified that they had identified all individuals involved in the altercation at Jackson Square and were not pursuing any additional suspects. Additionally, the law enforcement agencies had already removed the suspect’s name and image from public disclosure to comply with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Detective Di Ianni assured the public that the mall had resumed normal operations after the incident, with security personnel cooperating with the police to ensure the safety of the premises and provide necessary surveillance footage.