Friends and family have taken to social media to remember a 16-year-old Six Nations teen who died after a Wednesday triple shooting there.
Ashton VanEvery, 16, died at Hamilton General Hospital after a triple shooting on Chiefswood Road, while another victim is in serious but stable condition at Hamilton General Hospital. A third victim was treated at the scene and fled.
Friends are describing VanEvery, whose Facebook describes him as a Brantford Collegiate Institute student, as someone who was always smiling, even when it was hard.
“You always brought a good mood present and always smiled even though you didn’t have any thing to smile about,” writes one friend. “You truly did have a great personality.”
“I love you baby boy,” a woman wrote. “Momma has got you locked safe in my heart.”
“Rarely had any sleep,” another said. “This is so hard honestly. I miss you so much.”
Six Nations police say they were called to a 1st Line Road home just after 1:15 p.m. Wednesday to find three victims and a GMC Yukon riddled with bullets.
The shooting happened a short distance away, said Inspector Darren Montour. The victims went home afterward, and their families noticed and called the police.
“The victims leave in a vehicle, go home,” Montour said. “Other family members see what’s transpired and they call us and we respond.”
Three men surrendered and have been charged in the shooting, which police say wasn’t random. They believe it was in retaliation for an assault the night before.
Police have charged the three men, aged 19, 24 and 56 with first-degree murder. The 56-year-old and 19-year-old are father and son, said Montour.
VanEvery and the other victim were airlifted to Hamilton General Hospital. The third victim refused to go to the hospital.
The three accused surrendered around 8 p.m. Wednesday after a brief investigation and communication through family members.