The Hamilton police have identified the victims from the shooting that took place on Saturday, May 27, 2023 as 27-year-old Carissa MacDonald of Stoney Creek, and 28-year-old Aaron Stone of Hamilton.
MacDonald worked as an education assistant for the Catholic school board in Brant County, and Stone was an electrician in Hamilton.
The couple had been engaged to get married and were making plans to move out of the basement apartment they were renting from their 57 year old landlord.
There was a dispute between the landlord and the couple, allegedly regarding a “disagreement surrounding issues within the house” according to Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk, of Hamilton police.
“As you can well imagine these are not people that this should happen to they’re not involved in any level of criminality or lifestyle that may lead to an incident like this. They’re truly innocent,”
Police say the couple were seen by witnesses attempting to flee the residence and were shot and killed on the front lawn of the home at 322 Jones Rd.
The suspect then barricaded himself inside the home, and after negotiations with police failed, exchanged gunfire, even shooting at an amoured vehicle.
“The suspect later fired additional rounds, which resulted in an interaction with police,”
He was allegedly struck and killed by a police bullet and the SIU is now investigating.
Police and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) have not released the suspects name. The SIU said the family requested that he not be identified.
However, property records state the home has been owned by Terry Brekka since 2003.
Several witnesses have already been interviewed by the Homicide Unit and have been cooperative. Police continue to appeal for more witnesses. If you have any information, please contact Detective Robert DiIanni at 905-546-3836.
To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477