Police investigating unauthorized GoFundMe campaign for homicide victim Yosif Al-Hasnawi
Hamilton police have launched a fraud investigation into an unauthorized GoFundMe account that purports to be raising money for funeral expenses for homicide victim Yosif Al-Hasnawi.
The fundraising account titled “Hamilton Hero Funeral Fundraiser” is unauthorized and it’s not clear where the money is going, said Det. Sgt. Greg Doerr of the Hamilton police major fraud unit.
The account was reported to the police by the Al-Hasnawi family.
It listed a targeted goal of $1,000, but raised $1,345. GoFundMe has disabled the account and money is expected to be returned to those who donated, Doerr said.
Police are hoping to speak with the man who created the account. “We don’t know his intentions.” GoFundMe is working with police on the investigation, a spokesperson said.
“If the page is indeed fraudulent, all donations will be refunded. If any donors would like to request a refund in the meantime, we will proces it for them,” Rachel Hollis said. Al-Hasnawi died after being shot on Sanford Avenue North near Main Street East Saturday night.
He has been called a “Good Samaritan” for intervening when two men were harassing an older man on Main near the Al-Mustafa Islamic Centre, where Al-Hasnawi had been at a religious celebration.
Police arrested Dale Burningsky King, 19, late Thursday in Hagersville. He’s charged with second-degree murder.
A 55-year-old woman, whom police haven’t named, was also arrested and faces an accessory charge.
James Matheson, 20, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, and remains in custody.
There is also an ongoing Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care investigation into the conduct of paramedics, who witnesses have accused of failing to take Al-Hasnawi’s injuries seriously and taking too long to transport.
He was pronounced dead in hospital an hour after being shot.
Al-Hasnawi was a first-year Brock University student with aspirations of becoming a doctor.
A vigil is planned at the university in St. Catharines for 3 p.m. on Friday at the Pond Inlet in the school’s Mackenzie Chown Complex.
Anyone with information about the GoFundMe account is asked to contact Doerr of the major fraud branch at 905-546-3841.