In a troubling weekend across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, two women lost their lives in unrelated acts of violence—one in a targeted downtown Hamilton shooting that killed an innocent bystander, and the other in a tragic domestic homicide that ended along Highway 401 in Pickering.
Hamilton: 26-Year-Old Bystander Killed in Brazen Daylight Shooting
At approximately 5:25 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, gunfire erupted in the heart of downtown Hamilton, near King Street East and James Street North. According to Hamilton Police, a male suspect approached a group of three individuals—believed to be his intended targets—and opened fire.
As he fired at the group, 26-year-old Belinda Sarkodie, an uninvolved bystander, was struck by stray bullets and killed. A second individual was also injured in the gunfire.
On July 13, police identified 17-year-old Mackale Lavoie as the suspect in the shooting. A warrant has been issued for his arrest on the following charges:
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Second Degree Murder
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Attempted Murder (×2)
Due to the severity of the crime and the public risk involved, a publication ban on Lavoie’s identity was lifted. Hamilton Police urge the public not to approach him and to call 911 or 905-546-4925 with any information.
Toronto: Missing Woman Found Dead Off Highway 401, Partner Charged with Murder
Also on July 11, 2025—just after midnight—Toronto police located a deceased woman in a ditch near Highway 401 and Whites Road in Pickering. The victim, Yuk Kwan Chu, 67, had been reported missing on Wednesday, July 9, after last being heard from on Saturday, July 5.
Her common-law partner, Zhi Kuang, 60, was charged with aggravated assault on the day she was reported missing. Following the discovery of her body, those charges have been upgraded to First Degree Murder.
Police confirmed the death as Toronto’s 20th homicide of 2025. The investigation is being led by the Toronto Homicide Unit, despite the body being discovered in Pickering, as the initial report originated from Toronto.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information to contact police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.
Case Number: 25-681717
A Growing Concern for Public Safety
The double tragedy underscores rising concerns around both public safety and domestic violence in the region. In Hamilton, Friday’s shooting marks the city’s 7th homicide of 2025. Meanwhile, Toronto has now recorded 20 homicides this year—many involving deadly domestic situations or brazen acts of urban gun violence.
City officials in both Toronto and Hamilton have yet to issue formal responses to the weekend’s violence.
🛡️ “Watch the Block” by GTA Weekly examines public safety across Southern Ontario—because safer communities start with informed responses. Follow us @GTAWeeklyNews for the latest.
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