March 28, 2024

A 14-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man from Hamilton have been charged with first-degree murder after emergency crews were called to Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in Hamilton following a fatal stabbing on Monday. The names of the suspects, as well as the name of the victim, haven’t yet been released to the public.

Officers probed the nearby area of Dunsmure Rd. and Ivon Ave. and arrested both suspects. A third boy was taken into custody but later released unconditionally.

Investigators are searching for two more teens who they believe were involved in the stabbing. One is a white male who was wearing dark pants, white shoes, a grey long-sleeved shirt, and a black backpack. The other is a light-skinned black female, wearing a black coat, black shoes with a white stripe and long black hair.

 Det.-Sgt. Steve Bereziuk told CBC that the stabbing was captured on video, which police are still reviewing.

 Police say the weapon used in the murder has not been recovered. Residents are urged to contact 911 immediately if they find anything suspicious on their property or in the area.

 Tommy Lundrigan, a Hamilton resident who said he has been traumatized by violence and bullying, found himself reflecting and praying in his car at the scene of the crime.

“It’s pretty surreal down here. I am wondering how his mom is doing, his friends, the school as a whole,” he said in an interview via Facebook. “As someone that was bullied relentlessly from grade four through to grade 11 when I dropped out, this event is hitting home big time.”

Grief counselors have been set up at the school to console students. Parents of Hamilton students are concerned.
 
“My child isn’t at the school yet, but I have three children in one of the feeder schools that will be attending (Sir Winston) Churchill,” said  Samantha Collins- Foster a mother of three residing in Hamilton. “This was a tragic event and if the feeder schools would address the bullying early on and keep on it, not just do a pink shirt day but have monthly assemblies. We should take after the states and put metal detectors. It might prevent this in the future.” 

The mother of the victim was present for the assault, said Det.-Sgt. Steve Bereziuk who told CBC that she is devastated.

Hamilton Police and Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board have made statements about the murder via Twitter.

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