Hamilton police have identified two males, aged 18 and 16, who died after a double shooting early Wednesday morning in Stoney Creek that police believe may have been an act of retaliation stemming from a previous incident.
Officers were called to Candlewood Drive, in the east‑Hamilton neighbourhood, at around 2:30 a.m., where they located two males suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims were pronounced dead in the hospital.
The victims have since been identified as 18-year-old Abdulmalek Shibli and 16-year-old Afef Binafif, both of Hamilton.
In an update later Wednesday afternoon, Hamilton Police said the shooting “may have been retaliation for an earlier disturbance involving bear spray at a residence in Hamilton’s east end.”
“Investigators believe at least six individuals attended the area of 191 Candlewood Drive, where an exchange of gunfire occurred,” police said in a release.
“The victims’ families are devastated on the loss of their loved ones and have asked for privacy at this time.”
The Homicide Unit is urging anyone with details — including home‑security video — to contact investigators or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers.