Police identify engaged couple shot dead after dispute with landlord near Hamilton
Hamilton police have identified the couple allegedly shot and killed by their landlord at their Stoney Creek residence last weekend.
On Tuesday, police said 27-year-old Carissa MacDonald of Stoney Creek and 28-year-old Aaron Stone of Hamilton were the victims of the May 27 shooting, which allegedly stemmed from a dispute with their landlord.
MacDonald and Stone were fatally shot outside as they were fleeing the home in the area of Jones Road and Barton Street, police said.
"The families of both victims are requesting privacy at this time," Hamilton police said in a release on Tuesday.
27-year-old Carissa MacDonald (left) and 28-year-old Aaron Stone of Hamilton have been identified as the victims of a deadly shooting in Stoney Creek, Ont. (Hamilton Police Service)
Few details have been released about the alleged dispute between the landlord and the couple, who lived in the residence’s basement, but police had said that the victims were "truly innocent."
MacDonald was an education assistant for the Catholic school board in Brant County, while Stone was an electrician in Hamilton.
"As you can well imagine, these are not people that this should happen to. They're not involved in any level of criminality or lifestyle that may lead to an incident like this," said Detective Sergeant Steve Bereziuk on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the landlord, a 57-year-old man, was fatally shot by police during an exchange of gunfire, concluding an hours-long standoff on Saturday evening that began after he barricaded himself inside the home.
Police and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) have not released the man's name. The SIU said the family requested that he not be identified.
However, property records obtained by CTV News Toronto reveal the home has been owned by Terry Brekka since 2003. A family member on Monday said Brekka was a steelworker who was estranged from some relatives and wasn't known to have guns.
27-year-old Carissa MacDonald (left) and 28-year-old Aaron Stone of Hamilton have been identified as the victims of a deadly shooting in Stoney Creek, Ont. (Hamilton Police Service)
A post-mortem examination was conducted on the man on Tuesday, the SIU said in an update.
The agency, which is investigating the interaction between the man and Hamilton police, also said that investigators had collected five firearms and one police-issued firearm from the home.
All six firearms will be sent to the Centre of Forensic Sciences for examination. Investigators also retrieved video footage, the SIU said, adding that the scene is still being held.
"A canvass of the area in an attempt to locate evidence and potential witnesses is ongoing," the agency said.
There are six investigators and four forensic investigators designated to the case as well as one subject official and seven witness officials.
The SIU, which investigates conduct of police that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault, and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person, is urging anyone who may have information to contact investigators at 1-800-787-8529 or https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.
- with files from Joanna Lavoie and Hannah Alberga
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.