Man killed in targeted shooting identified as Isaiah Macnab
Victim was client of New Directions halfway house
KITCHENER — The man killed in a brazen downtown Kitchener shooting was 20-year-old Isaiah Thomas Macnab, a resident of a halfway house operated by the Salvation Army.
Macnab’s sister took to Facebook the day of the shooting on Thursday to comment on her brother’s death.
“I will confirm the victim of todays (sic) shooting in Kitchener was in fact my younger brother, Isaiah Macnab,” reads a Facebook post by Claudia Macnab. “Isaiah was my best friend, my world and my source of happiness through life. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through life without you Isaiah.”
Claudia linked to a Facebook page belonging to her brother, which says he had attended St. Mary’s High School and lived in Kitchener. The family provided The Record with a photo of the victim but did not want to comment further.
Macnab was killed Thursday at about 11:15 a.m. in a parking lot adjacent to the halfway house at Pandora Avenue South and King Street East. Dan Millar, spokesperson with the Salvation Army, said the victim was a client of New Directions, a rehabilitation centre and halfway house.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the agency said in a news release Friday afternoon.
“The Salvation Army takes the safety and security of staff, clients and the broader community extremely seriously and we are working closely with the authorities throughout this investigation.”
Court records show a man with the same name and age as the victim was charged with assault causing bodily harm and aggravated assault in Kitchener following an incident on May 6, 2017. He was sentenced to two years in jail and two years of probation, and was also directed to attend anger management and substance abuse rehabilitation programs.
Police said Macnab was shot multiple times in a targeted attack and two people were seen fleeing from the scene in a white, four-door Mercedes. The vehicle had a stolen licence plate reading: BZBP153.
Police continue to search for the suspects.
Shortly after the shooting, police spotted the car travelling east on Highway 401 near Townline Road. An officer followed the vehicle and called for backup. The Mercedes continued east, exited at Highway 6 South briefly and then made a U-turn back onto the 401 eastbound.
During the pursuit, a police SUV collided with a pickup truck on Highway 6. The officer and the truck driver received minor injuries.
Ontario Provincial Police were called to assist with the chase, and Halton Regional Police, Peel Regional Police and Toronto Police were all notified of the pursuit.
The Mercedes was last seen near Erin Mills Parkway in Mississauga.
The intersection where the shooting occurred was closed to traffic for a second day Friday as police set up a command post and canvassed the area.
Police released two surveillance video images of the suspect vehicle and asked anyone who saw the car to contact police at 519-570-9777, ext. 8666.