Police have confirmed that the 44-year-old man responsible for the murder-suicide that left four people dead, including three children, in Sault Ste. Marie on Monday night had a history of intimate partner violence (IPV). The violent acts took place at two separate addresses in the northern Ontario city.
At approximately 10:20 p.m., police found a 41-year-old woman dead from a gunshot wound at the 200 block of Tancred Street. Subsequently, they discovered the bodies of three children aged 6, 7, and 12, along with a 45-year-old woman with a gunshot wound, at a residence on Second Line East. The shooter took his own life at this location. A long gun and a handgun were seized by the police at the Second Line East residence.
A police forensic unit attends a crime scene on Second Line, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. Five people – including three children and a shooter – were found dead after an attack in the northern Ontario city Monday evening. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bob Davies)
“As these incidents are the result of intimate partner violence, the names of the accused and victims are not being released,” stated the police service on Tuesday.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Chief Hugh Stevenson expressed support for an inquest into intimate partner violence during a news conference on Wednesday. “I think all governments have to look at this situation and, in light of what’s happened here, treat it a little more seriously,” Stevenson said. He added that he believes the name of the killer will eventually be made public.
Police Chief Hugh Stevenson speaking to media during a press conference held Wednesday in relation to the intimate partner violence deaths of one adult woman and three children, as well as the injury of another adult woman that occurred Monday. Stevenson said he welcomes the idea of an inquest into the deaths to address the problem of intimate partner violence.Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday
Norma Elliott, the director of community relations and finance at Women in Crisis Algoma, underscored the gravity of the IPV epidemic, especially in light of the recent tragedy. “They’re going to need to really show their support to those agencies that are working desperately hard to end violence against women and children,” she remarked.
Women in Crisis Algoma operates a crisis line and a shelter for women and children escaping IPV. According to Elliott, the shelter has witnessed a significant increase in demand since the pandemic, with the crisis line receiving between 2,500 and 3,000 calls, up from 2,000 calls in 2018-2019.
The police are still investigating the details surrounding the incident, including how the shooter acquired the firearms. “Detectives are following up on all leads as the investigation continues,” said Chief Stevenson. “Forensic analysis, ballistics analysis, and post-mortem reports will determine how the firearms were used.”
Police tape and vehicles surround a crime scene on Tancred Street in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. on Tuesday, Oct.24, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Soo Today-Alex Flood)
SooToday independently requested court documents related to a December 2019 incident involving the gunman, where he pleaded guilty to assaulting an officer and was sentenced to 12 months probation. However, Chief Stevenson did not confirm these details during the press conference.
In his remarks, Stevenson also emphasized the need for societal change when it comes to IPV. “Are we doing enough in the schools to teach respect for others — whether it’s gender, whether it’s sexual orientation, whether it’s race,” he questioned. “We have to get to these situations earlier in life and teach respect for people.” He also called on the community to be vigilant and proactive in addressing behaviors that may lead to IPV. “When we see sickness we can deal with it, but if we avoid it, this will continue.”
