'Both of them had a heart of gold': Family releases statement on engaged couple shot dead at home near Hamilton
The family of an engaged couple who were shot dead following a dispute with their landlord in Stoney Creek over the weekend released a statement of their loved ones, remembering them as "two beautiful souls."
In a statement released by Hamilton Police on Thursday, the family of Carissa MacDonald and Aaron Stone said they loved their family, friends and “each other.”
“Anyone who crossed paths with Aaron or Carissa knew the special bond they shared with each other and their family and friends and it is something that everyone will be able to carry with them and cherish forever,” the statement notes. “Both of them had a heart of gold, imagine when you put those two hearts together.”
MacDonald, 27, and Stone, 28, were both shot outside of their home at 322 Jones Rd. near Barton Street, in Stoney Creek on Saturday.
Police have said that the dispute that sparked the fatal confrontation was over a mould issue in the basement apartment that MacDonald and Stone shared.
The owner of the house, a 57-year-old named Terry Brekka per property records, barricaded himself in the residence following the shooting. Hours later, he was shot and killed by police in an incident that is now the subject of an investigation by the province’s police watchdog.
In the statement, the family of MacDonald and Stone noted that they were “days away” from moving into a new home and “starting the next chapter of their lives” when they were shot.
The family also said that they were planning on getting married this summer.
“They were hardworking, honest, giving people who would do anything in their power to help anyone who needed it. They were respectable, responsible, law-abiding citizens,” the statement reads. What happened to Carissa and Aaron was truly an act of unnecessary violence and they will be dearly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing them.”
Hamilton police say that they have now wrapped up their investigation at the scene of the homicide but continue to interview witnesses, neighbours and 911 called.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
NEW Where to watch the state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney
A state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney will be held in Montreal on March 23. CTV News will have live special coverage of his funeral service.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
NEW High thoughts: The habits of Canadian cannabis users are revealed in a new StatCan report
Statistics Canada has conducted a series of surveys to measure the impacts of legalized cannabis since the Cannabis Act took effect in 2018. The latest one, the 2023 National Cannabis Survey, sheds light on users' preferences and habits last year.
Freddie Mercury's home is on the market for first time since 1980 minus his 'exquisite clutter'
Freddie Mercury's sanctuary in London, where he lived the last decade of his life, is on sale for the first time in nearly half a century -- minus his "exquisite clutter."
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.