One person is in custody and two others have been named in Canada wide warrants in regards to a shooting that took place on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at approximately 4:45 p.m. at the south end of Hibernia Street at a homeless encampment.
Police responded immediately to the sounds of gunshots at the encampment.
Speaking to Today’s Northumberland on Friday, Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf gives full credit to the officers who have worked tirelessly on the investigation.
Members of the Cobourg Criminal Investigations Branch, with the assistance of Uniform officers, have worked tirelessly, around the clock, for the past 8 days to identify the suspects responsible for this incident. Investigators authored search warrants for two residences and the suspect vehicle. With the assistance of the Port Hope Police Service Criminal Investigations Branch,
Durham Regional Police Tactical Unit and the Peterborough Police Emergency Response Team, two Search warrants were simultaneously executed at separate residences in the Durham Region around 5 a.m. on Friday.
“This team has given up holidays, this team has given up time off, weeks off, everything off to really follow-up on the shooting.”
One suspect was arrested and two others are wanted on Canada Wide Warrants.
“These are significant charges. These are the use of a weapon in a criminal offence. Although these things occur in our community, I have the right staff and the right people inside this building who actually work towards community safety.”
VandeGraaf said over the last several weeks there has been a lot of “noise,” but when it comes down to crime, he’s proud of the work the men and women of the Cobourg Police Service do for the community each and every day.
“When it comes to crime eradication the team here does fantastic work. This kind of work in this time frame is a credit to the officers and the community support providing statements and evidence.”
VandeGraaf also said that one of the accused is on house arrest for attempted murder.
“Once again we speak to the bail and violent crime issues that plague this province, this country. Here we have an individual out on conditions, basically house arrest, who comes to our town and is involved in the attempted murder with a firearm offence. When that person is held accountable, I’d expect the courts to do the right thing.”
“That’s pretty simple “house arrest” stay home.”
“Don’t drive to my town and start being involved in gun play.”
Nineteen-year-old Kersi BUAKASA was arrested and charged with the following offences:
1) Attempted murder using firearm, contrary to section 239(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
2) Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm, contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
3) Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm, contrary to section 94(1) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
4) Possession of schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl contrary to section
5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
5) Possession of schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
6) Possession of schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
At the bail hearing on Friday afternoon, duty counsel for Buakasa said she spoke with the family of the accused.
“I’ve spoken to his family in regards to a bail plan and it’s going to take a little bit to come together.”
Buakasa was held in custody and returns on Tuesday, August 29 to be spoken to.
An arrest warrant is being sought for 21-year-old Elijah KERRIDGE-LALL, described as 5’8” tall and 130lbs. KERRIDGE-LALL is on a current court release for attempted murder charges involving a firearm and was supposed to be on a house arrest condition but was not at his residence when police executed the search warrant.
KERRIDGE-LALL is wanted for the following offences:
1) Obstruct police, contrary to section 129(a) of the Criminal Code
2) Fail to comply with release order, contrary to section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code x (4)
3) Point firearm contrary to section 87 of the Criminal Code
4) Discharge firearm with intent, contrary to section 244(1) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
5) Attempted murder using firearm, contrary to section 239(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
6) Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm, contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
7) Possession of loaded firearm, contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal code (JOINT)
8) Possession of prohibited firearm, contrary to section 91(2) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
9) Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm, contrary to section 94(1) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
10) Fail to comply with release order, contrary to section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code x (2)
KERRIDGE-LALL is known to frequent the GTA and the Northumberland County area. KERRIDGE-LALL should be considered armed. If located, please call the police immediately.
An arrest warrant is being sought for 18-year-old Alearen Stewart, described as 6’ tall and weighs between 180-200lbs. (see photo below)
STEWART is wanted for the following offences:
1) Point firearm contrary to section 87 of the Criminal Code
2) Discharge firearm with intent, contrary to section 244(1) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
3) Attempted murder using firearm, contrary to section 239(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
4) Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm, contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
5) Possession of loaded firearm, contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal code (JOINT)
6) Possession of prohibited firearm, contrary to section 91(2) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
7) Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm, contrary to section 94(1) of the Criminal Code (JOINT)
STEWART is also known to frequent the GTA and Northumberland County. STEWART should be considered armed. If located, please call the police immediately.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
