Authorities have named the 16-year-old boy who passed away in the hospital after a shooting that took place inside a downtown Hamilton shopping mall on Friday evening.
Police were dispatched to Jackson Square on Friday around 5:10 p. m. Nabil Askafe, a resident of Hamilton, was found inside the mall with serious injuries, according to police.
Paramedics quickly transported Askafe to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
During a news conference on Saturday, Det. Robert Di Ianni from the homicide investigation unit informed reporters that the teens had first interacted outside the mall before an altercation occurred inside, resulting in the shooting.
A news release from Saturday evening stated that this confrontation happened within a wireless store where one suspect displayed a firearm.
Hamilton police have identified a 14-year-old suspect believed to have shot Askafe, according to Di Ianni. The youth is wanted for second degree murder and efforts are underway to find and apprehend him.
Di Ianni mentioned that the weapon seemed larger than a standard handgun. He also noted that Askafe managed to walk into another store after being shot before collapsing there and being discovered by first responders.
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Nabil Askafe, of Hamilton, was found in the mall suffering from life-threatening injuries, police say. (Hamilton Police Service)
Authorities are currently trying to identify another suspect who ran away from the scene, as stated by Di Ianni. Earlier reports suggested both suspects were armed; however, Di Ianni clarified that this is not considered accurate at this time and investigators are working on understanding this second suspect’s involvement.
Both suspects are described as white males; one was reportedly wearing a grey tracksuit while the other had on a blue tracksuit, according to Hamilton police.
Di Ianni encouraged both suspects to seek legal advice and turn themselves in. If anyone sees them, they should avoid approaching them and immediately call 911 instead.
The police are also looking for judicial approval to disclose the name of the 14-year-old suspect under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, as explained by Di Ianni.
The Hamilton police previously indicated that it seems this incident was targeted.
Di Ianni shared that Askafe had recently come from Syria along with his mother, father, and younger brother.
“His family loves him; they’re deeply affected by this tragedy,” he said.
The scene has been cleared and business at the mall has returned to normal operations. He noted that security at the mall assisted with clearing out patrons and collaborated with Hamilton police for video footage during their investigation.
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