Police identify 17-year-old as suspect in killing of 26-year-old woman in downtown Hamilton

Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a teenager suspected in the fatal shooting of Belinda Sarkodie in Hamilton's downtown core.

In a news release on Sunday evening, Hamilton police said they're looking for Mackale Lavoie, 17. The warrant for his arrest was issued under a second-degree murder charge and two counts of attempted murder.

Police said that at 5:25 p.m. ET on Friday, a "male suspect encountered a group" of three people near James Street North and King Street East who "appear to have been the intended targets."

"The male suspect opened fire, striking one of the individuals. As he continued to shoot at a second person, an innocent bystander — [Sarkodie] — was fatally struck," the news release said.

Sarkodie, 26, was pronounced dead on the scene. A man was also struck by the gunfire and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

On Saturday, police said Sarkodie was originally from Ghana, had immigrated to Canada in 2024 and was an innocent bystander who was out with a friend when she was killed.

Police said they obtained an order permitting the publication of Lavoie's identity. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, a judge can grant an exemption to release the identity of a person under 18 if "there is reason to believe that the young person is a danger to others" or the "publication of the information is necessary to assist in apprehending the young person."

Police urged the public to not approach Lavoie and to contact them immediately at 905-546-4925 or call 911 if anyone sees him.