More than 100 people gathered at the Hamilton Mountain Mosque on Monday to mourn Nabil Askafe, a 16-year-old student killed in a shooting at Jackson Square mall over the weekend.
Askafe, a student at Westdale Secondary School, had recently immigrated to Canada from Syria with his parents and younger brother.
Suspect Charged in Nabil Askafe Killing
Hamilton police confirmed that a 14-year-old suspect, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, appeared in court Monday and was charged with second-degree murder.
The suspect surrendered to police on Sunday. Investigators stated that Askafe and the suspect were involved in a physical altercation inside the mall near a Himalayan restaurant before the suspect brandished a firearm and shot the teen.
Community Grief and Trauma
During the funeral, Imam Sayed Tora described Askafe as a “vibrant member of the community” and noted the “deep agony” felt by the teen’s parents.
Abrar Mechmechia, a mental health and trauma counsellor, described the killing as a devastating loss for a newcomer family that had escaped war in search of safety. Mechmechia added that the tragedy has left the Syrian community “shaking” and led young people to question their own safety.
Mechmechia noted that newcomers often face additional challenges when dealing with such tragedies, including language barriers and displacement from extended family.
Calls for Action on Youth Violence
At the ceremony, the imam called on Mayor Andrea Horwath and MPP Sandy Shaw to prioritize community initiatives to combat youth violence rather than increasing the police budget.
Mayor Horwath previously stated that the city requires “urgent, stronger action to get illegal firearms out of our communities.”
Family friend Naime Avdyli expressed fear for other parents, stating that the tragedy highlights the danger of being in the “wrong place, wrong time.”
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