‘So full of life and love’: Family speaks out about Hamilton couple killed in shootings

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Published June 1, 2023 at 2:35 pm

landlord tenants shooting Hamilton Carissa MacDonald Stoney Creek, and Aaron Stone Stoney Creek
Carissa MacDonald, 27, of Stoney Creek, and Aaron Stone, 28, of Hamilton, died from the shootings in Stoney Creek on May 27, 2023.

The two victims killed in Saturday’s shootings were “hardworking, honest, giving people” who had a “heart of gold” and loved their family, friends, their dog Max and spending time outdoors, according to their family.

Their family called their killings “truly an act of unnecessary violence.”

The family of Carissa MacDonald, 27, and Aaron Stone, 28, released a statement today (June 1) through Hamilton police about the couple in the wake of the shootings at 322 Jones Rd. in Stoney Creek.

“Carissa and Aaron were two beautiful souls,” the family said in the statement. “They were such family-oriented people who were so full of life and love.”

The two tenants were gunned down after they had argued with their landlord about mould in their basement apartment the day they were killed on Saturday, May 27, according to police. Police said today that they have now cleared the scene of the crime and detectives are continuing the investigation, including looking into the background of the landlord, who they suspect killed the couple. The landlord died in a shootout with police. 

The engaged couple loved nature and was planning on getting married this summer. “They took pride in their home and always paid their bills on time,” the family said. “They were hardworking, honest, giving people who would do anything in their power to help anyone who needed it.  They were respectable, responsible, law-abiding citizens.”

Det.-Sgt. Steve Bereziuk told inthehammer.com the couple had found a new place “that was better suited for them” and were moving out of their unit by June 1. He said police are still investigating and don’t know if the couple’s plan to move was connected to the argument with the landlord.

“They were days away from moving into their new home and starting the next chapter of their lives,” the family said.

The family described MacDonald as being “very dedicated to her career. “She loved her job, her school family and all of ‘her kids’ as she called them,” the family said. “Her passion outside of the outdoors was her career.”

MacDonald worked as an education assistant at Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.

Stone, who was an apprentice electrician at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, “was very well respected in his union and he had just finished his five years of education, he passed his exams with flying colours and was planning to write his ticket,” according to the family. “He possessed so much knowledge inside his profession.”

After a long day of work, Stone loved to tinker with his truck or do mechanic work.

Outside of their careers, the couple could be found camping and spending time with friends and family. “Anyone who crossed paths with Aaron or Carissa knew that the special bond they shared with each other and their family and friends is something that everyone will be able to carry with them and cherish forever,” the family said. “Both of them had a heart of gold, imagine when you put those two hearts together. …  they will be dearly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing them.”

Their family members are requesting privacy as they grieve their loss.

Police said no additional information will be released at this time “to protect the integrity of the SIU investigation.” The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the conduct of police connected to the landlord’s death while Hamilton police are looking into the double homicide case.

Those with any information about the case are asked to contact Det. Robert DiIanni at 905-546-3836.

To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

 

 

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