Windsor men charged in homicide
Arrest of suspects in Blenheim shooting included police chase in Chatham-kent
A 20-year-old Blenheim man is dead and two Windsor men face murder charges after a Wednesday night shooting, Chatham-kent police say.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire at a Blenheim home about 7 p.m. Wednesday, police said in a release Thursday.
Two men known to the homeowner had visited the house, police said. After an argument, one visitor fired a gun, striking a friend of the homeowner. The victim was taken to hospital, where he later died.
Two suspects fled in a vehicle, but the driver surrendered after officers stopped a vehicle on Communications Road, police said. The passenger then took the wheel and drove off. Officers pursued and a high-risk traffic stop followed on Kent Bridge Road. A man was arrested and a gun seized.
Two Windsor men, both 19, whose names have not been released, are charged with murder and attempted murder. They were held pending a bail hearing.
The Lumley and Church streets area was cordoned off with yellow police tape as police investigated Thursday. Criminal investigations branch and forensic identification officers were at the home.
A post-mortem was scheduled for Thursday in London. police have not named the victim, but a family Facebook post identified him as Braedon Burk, 20.
Burk was eulogized by his father in a Facebook post Thursday.
“As a father, you want the best for your kids, watch them grow, be great, turn out to be beautiful, respective, caring and loving children, make you proud,” Jamie Burk wrote.
“I really have no words. I was so proud of the young man he became, his sisters and brothers lost so much tonight, I truly lost my best friend my heart is broken … I love you, my son Braedon Burk.”
At the scene, a friend of the victim's brother, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he's texted his grieving friend: “He's not doing too good.” He didn't know what prompted the shooting.
“It just breaks my heart,” said another neighbour requesting anonymity, who knows the family that lives where the shooting took place. “My prayers go out there to the family.”
A Gofundme campaign, launched Thursday afternoon to help with “Braedon's memorial and family expenses,” was quickly approaching its $8,000 goal.
“Braedon was the kindest person and brought so much love to his friends and family and he would so appreciate the support,” wrote Bailey Taylor, who organized the campaign.
Several donors offered messages of condolence.
“He was an amazing person to be around, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to be able to call him a best friend,” wrote Kalie Seaton.
“Braedon was very good and a kind boy, devoted and loving son who did not deserve this dreadful fate,” Yelena Huseynova added.
In a release, Det. Sgt. Gabe Tetrault of the criminal investigations branch offered sympathies, praise for officers' response to a “serious and dynamic situation,” and reassurance that police “believe this was an isolated incident and that there is no threat to public safety.”
Anyone with information should contact Const. Dan Hamilton at danha@chatham-kent.ca or 519436-6600, ext. 284, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Braedon was very good and a kind boy, devoted and loving son who did not deserve this dreadful fate.