One adult, three teens face charges for holiday shooting spree in Hamilton
Hamilton police say they have identified and charged four young men involved in a string of shootings in the city's east end over the holiday season.
In a Friday afternoon release, police said the five shootings took place between Dec. 21 and Dec. 25.
The first shooting, which happened on Dec. 21, left a 20-year-old with non-life-threatening injuries.
Following that incident, police said shootings were also reported in a rural area" and at three separate locations over the following days.
As the investigation progressed, it became clear that each of the individual incidents were closely related," said police.
With the assistance of specialized units," uniform patrol and the community, police said they were able to identify four male suspects. Two were arrested and charged, while a third was already in custody.
One of the suspects remains outstanding and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, police said.
Four individuals all from Hamilton, including three youths, are facing numerous charges in connection with the five shootings. The youths cannot be identified.
Duston MacKenzie, 20, of Hamilton, has been charged with two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm, 23 counts of offences related to the possession and transport of a prohibited firearm and eight counts of failing to comply with a court order.
A 17-year-old male is charged with careless use of a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm, six counts of offences relating to the unauthorized possession, storage, and transport of firearms, five counts of offences relating to the possession and transport of a prohibited firearm and 18 counts of failing to comply with a court order.
A second 17-year-old male is charged with careless use of a firearm, two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm, 12 counts of offences relating to the possession and transport of a prohibited firearm, 11 counts of offences relating to the unauthorized possession, storage, and transport of firearms, two counts of breaching a court order and eight counts of failing to comply with a court order.
A third 17-year-old male is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm and seven counts of offences relating to the possession and transport of a prohibited firearm.
One of the 17-year-olds is alleged to have been involved in all five shootings. Another 17-year-old was allegedly involved in the first, third and final shooting. The third 17-year-old was allegedly involved in the second shooting.
Duston MacKenzie is alleged to have been involved in all but the first shooting.
Anyone with information can contact Det. Const. Chelsea Knowles at 905-546-2917 or Det. Sgt. Ben Thibodeau at 905-546-2907.
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com