Hamilton man charged with first-degree murder in death of 16-year-old cousin
A 22-year-old Hamilton man is charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his 16-year-old cousin during a long weekend family gathering, city police said Monday.
Investigators have released few details about the deadly incident, which occurred Sunday night on the city’s East Mountain.
But Hamilton Police Det. Sergeant Sara Beck said the stabbing “devastated” the relatives of both the victim and the suspect.
“We’ve talked to them in terms of victim support, and they’re just supporting each other together now,” Beck said at a news conference this afternoon.
“We are still investigating what happened in this tragic event and the motive behind what happened,” she added.
Beck said police were first called to the home around 10 p.m. after multiple 911 calls.
At the house, where Beck said the suspect lived and where 12 to 15 family members had gathered throughout the day, officers found the boy with stab wounds.
She claimed the attack took place inside the home and said an unspecified incident earlier in the day may have played a role in his death, but declined to give more details.
The boy was taken to a local hospital but was later pronounced dead.
“The family is devastated by their loss and has asked for privacy,” Beck said, noting that all family members have been cooperating with police. “They do not want to release their son’s name at this time, and we will respect their wishes.”
Beck said the teen’s cousin, 22-year-old Laureano Bistoyong, allegedly fled the house after the stabbing, sparking a police search nearby.
Officers failed to find him during their initial search, but a tip from a community member eventually helped them locate Bistoyong in an unlocked car a few miles from the crime scene around 8:30 a.m. Monday.
Bistoyong, who was previously unknown to police, has been charged with first-degree murder. He was due to appear in court on Monday.
The police investigation into the teen’s death continues.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 3, 2023.
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This story was produced with the financial support of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
