Hamilton Police Identify 17-Year-Old Mackale Lavoie as Suspect in Fatal Daylight Shooting of Berlinda Sarkodie
Hamilton, Ontario – A community is reeling from the senseless loss of an innocent life after a tragic shooting in downtown Hamilton claimed the life of 26-year-old Berlinda Sarkodie, a Ghanaian woman described by friends as kind-hearted, hardworking, and full of life. The fatal incident occurred in broad daylight on Friday, July 11, 2025, near the bustling intersection of King Street East and James Street North — a typically vibrant area in the city’s core.
According to the Hamilton Police Service, the shooting took place around 5:25 p.m., when a gunman, now identified as 17-year-old Mackale Lavoie, allegedly opened fire on a group of three individuals. Police believe the trio were his intended targets. As bullets flew through the air, Berlinda Sarkodie, who had no connection to the conflict, was fatally struck. She died at the scene, leaving behind grieving family members, friends, and a shocked community in both Hamilton and her home country of Ghana.
Another individual in the group was also targeted during the assault, but survived. Police have not released the names of the intended victims, citing privacy concerns and the ongoing investigation.
Authorities moved swiftly in the aftermath of the shooting, collecting witness statements, reviewing surveillance footage, and canvassing the area for leads. Their efforts led to the identification of Mackale Lavoie as the alleged shooter. On Monday, Hamilton police formally issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for Lavoie, who is now wanted on charges of:
- Second-degree murder
- Two counts of attempted murder
In a statement released by the Hamilton Police, the department described the act as “a reckless and horrifying display of violence that took the life of an innocent woman.” Investigators emphasized that Berlinda Sarkodie had no involvement with the shooter or the intended targets, and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Berlinda Sarkodie had emigrated from Ghana and was known in her community as a warm, intelligent woman with aspirations of pursuing a career in health care. Friends say she had recently completed a college course and was preparing to begin a new chapter in her life. Her death has sparked an outpouring of grief online and across immigrant communities in Hamilton and beyond.
“We’re devastated,” said one family friend during a vigil held Saturday evening at the scene of the shooting. “She didn’t deserve this. Berlinda was a light in every room she entered. To lose her like this — to gun violence that had nothing to do with her — it’s unbearable.”
Hamilton Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Lavoie. They caution that he should be considered armed and dangerous, and anyone who sees him is urged not to approach but to call 911 immediately. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
In the wake of the tragedy, city officials and community leaders have called for increased support for violence prevention initiatives and resources to ensure downtown remains a safe space for all.
As the search continues for the suspect and Berlinda’s loved ones prepare to lay her to rest, Hamilton mourns the loss of a vibrant soul — a young woman whose life was cruelly stolen in a moment of unthinkable violence.
If you have any information that could help investigators locate Mackale Lavoie, please contact the Hamilton Police Homicide Unit at 905-546-3827.