Boy, 14, sought after teen fatally shot inside Hamilton mall

Police say judicial order awaiting authorization to release name and photo of suspect

Published Apr 25, 2026  •  Last updated 17 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Police say judicial order awaiting authorization to release name and photo of suspect Photo by Hamilton Police Service /Toronto Sun

A 14-year-old suspect is being sought following Friday’s brazen daytime shooting that killed a 16-year-old boy inside a downtown Hamilton mall.

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Police identified the victim as Nabil Askafe. He died of his injuries after he was shot at Jackson Square shortly after 5 p.m. following an altercation.

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“This is a heartbreaking tragedy that deeply impacts family, friends and the entire Hamilton community,” Det. Robert Di Ianni told reporters Saturday afternoon. “Our thoughts are with all those grieving this devastating loss.”

He said the victim lived in Hamilton, but the family, which includes a younger son, recently immigrated from Syria.

“Nabil’s family has requested privacy as they deal with their loss.”

Suspect cannot be named yet

Di Ianni said a judicial order is awaiting authorization to name and release a photo of the teen suspect.

“Efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest him,” Di Ianni said. “We are urging him to contact investigators or seek legal counsel and turn himself in. He is facing a second-degree murder charge.”

Police said two males, one wearing a grey tracksuit and the other a blue tracksuit, were seen fleeing the mall eastbound toward James St., but only one was armed with a firearm described by Di Ianni as longer than a handgun but concealed by the suspect.

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Investigators are also working to identify the individual who was with the suspect and encouraged him to seek legal counsel and come forward.

Unknown if victim and suspects knew each other

Di Ianni said the investigation has yet to determine whether the victim knew the shooter or the other suspect.

He said footage from surveillance video showed the victim was walking along King St. from Hess St. when a small interaction took place and continued into the mall.

“We know that there was an altercation prior to Nabil’s death,” Di Ianni said. “During that physical altercation, the suspect brandished a firearm and shot Nabil.”

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After he was shot, the victim managed to walk a short distance to a nearby cellphone store where he collapsed, Di Ianni said.

The teen was rushed to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators are still appealing for anyone involved, or who may have witnessed the incident, to call Det. Matt Drumm at (905) 546-3825 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Last July, 26-year-old Belinda Sarkodie was struck and killed by a stray bullet while waiting for a bus near Jackson Square. In November, a 17-year-old suspect surrendered to police and was charged with second-degree murder.

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