A 15-year-old boy wanted in connection with a double murder in Hamilton has surrendered to police. The teenager was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder with a firearm after the July 29 killing of Afef Binafif, 18, and Abdulmalek Shibli, 16.
The youth, whose name and image were initially released, can no longer be named due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). A 34-year-old woman is also charged with accessory after the fact and obstruction of police. Both accused were scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Police reported that a firearm was discharged during the incident, but a second firearm used was an imitation firearm. The shooting occurred at around 2:25 a.m. on July 29 at Tabby Town Co-op Housing, near Rymal Road East and Upper Centennial Parkway, southeast of downtown Hamilton.
Officers found Shibli and Binafif suffering from gunshot wounds and transported them to hospital, where they died. Police believed the shooting may have been retaliation for an earlier disturbance involving bear spray at a residence in Hamilton's east end.
Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, police received a judicial authorization to temporarily publish the name and photograph of the suspect for the purpose of locating and arresting him. The authorization has since expired.
Police are still appealing to any witnesses to contact Det. Matt Dugdale at 905-546-3825.
