A 16-year-old boy is dead after a shooting Friday afternoon inside Hamilton’s Jackson Square mall, leaving the community reeling from another act of senseless violence.
Nabil Askafe, identified by police, died from his injuries following an altercation that escalated with terrifying speed. The shooting occurred shortly after 5 p.m., transforming an ordinary day at the mall into a scene of tragedy and chaos.
Detective Robert Di Ianni spoke with profound sadness, acknowledging the devastating impact on all those who knew Nabil. He emphasized the deep grief felt by family, friends, and the wider Hamilton community.
Nabil’s family, recently arrived from Syria with a younger son, has asked for privacy during this unimaginable time. Their hopes for a new life have been shattered by this sudden and brutal loss.
Police are actively searching for a 14-year-old suspect, awaiting judicial authorization to release his name and photograph. Investigators are urging the teen to surrender to authorities or seek legal counsel, as he faces a second-degree murder charge.
Witnesses reported seeing two males fleeing the scene – one in a grey tracksuit, the other in blue – heading east toward James Street. Only one was armed, concealing a weapon described as larger than a typical handgun.
Investigators are also seeking the individual who accompanied the suspect, encouraging them to come forward and consult with a lawyer. Their cooperation is crucial to understanding the full sequence of events.
The relationship between Nabil and his attackers remains unclear. Surveillance footage shows a brief interaction on King Street, near Hess Street, that continued inside the mall, ultimately leading to the fatal confrontation.
A physical altercation preceded the shooting, and during that struggle, the suspect drew a firearm and fired at Nabil. The speed with which the situation deteriorated is deeply disturbing.
Despite being shot, Nabil managed to walk a short distance before collapsing inside a nearby cellphone store. Emergency services rushed him to hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
This tragedy echoes a similar incident from last July, when Belinda Sarkodie was fatally struck by a stray bullet while waiting for a bus near Jackson Square. A 17-year-old suspect later surrendered in that case, also charged with second-degree murder.
Police are appealing to anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Matt Drumm at (905) 546-3825 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Every detail, no matter how small, could be vital to the investigation.
