Victim, suspect identified in fatal Stratford shooting
The woman who was fatally shot at a Stratford home on Tuesday has been identified as Kassidy Ballantyne-Holmes.
According to Stratford Police, the 35-year-old was found unresponsive at an Ontario Street address around 5 a.m.
Officers were initially called there to investigate a disturbance.
Ballantyne-Holmes was transported to Stratford General Hospital with a gunshot wound and later died from her injuries.
Police said they also arrested a 41-year-old man at the Ontario Street home.
Keith Savile has been charged with second-degree murder, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and unauthorized possession of a firearm, as well as weapons trafficking and manufacturing.
He has a bail hearing scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17.
Stratford Police Service vehicles and officers are seen outside a home on Oct. 15, 2024. (Jeff Pickel/CTV News)
Neighbour reaction
One neighbour, who lives in a separate unit inside the Ontario Street home, said she heard the shooting.
“I was in the kitchen making a peanut butter and jam sandwich, when all of the sudden, I heard a ping,” she told CTV News.
Ballantyne-Holmes, she explained, was not in a relationship with Savile. While she didn’t live in ground flood unit, she often stayed there.
“She came in, she had groceries, she was a happy girl,” the neighbour recalled.
She described Ballantyne-Holmes as a good person who was also battling some personal issues.
“She did suffer from a lot of troubles, but no one deserves that. I know she had a good soul.”
The neighbour said Ballantyne-Holmes leaves behind three young children.
“Everyone is really put out here, especially her family. Her poor family, her children.”
Stratford Police at the scene of a fatal shooting on Ontario Street on Oct. 15, 2024. (Jeff Pickel/CTV News)
The investigation
Stratford Police said they continue to actively investigate the shooting.
They’ve shared no further details about what led up to the incident or the charge of second-degree murder.
Anyone with information is asked to Stratford Police at 519-271-4141, ext. 8116. Anonymous tips can also be shared with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.p3tips.com.
The Ontario Street shooting is Stratford’s second suspected homicide in the last three months.
- With reporting by Jeff Pickel
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ambassador to U.S. calls American response to Canada's allegations against India 'strong'
Canada's ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman is calling the United States' response to Canada's allegations against India 'strong,' as other allies have opted not to condemn India publicly.
Death of ex-One Direction member Liam Payne at 31 sends shockwaves around the world
Shockwaves spread around the world Thursday at the death of Liam Payne, who shot to stardom as a member of British boy band One Direction and had to deal with intense global fame while still in his teens.
'It was very unnerving': Ontario woman receives sextortion email demanding Bitcoin or have compromising photos leaked
An Ontario woman is feeling uneasy after she received a sextortion email demanding she pay the fraudster US$1,900 in Bitcoin or risk having compromising photographs of herself shared with her loved ones.
Investigation underway after employee found deceased in Cambridge, Ont. walk-in freezer
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is investigating after an employee was found deceased at a Cambridge grocery store.
Recall issued for jelly pork sold in Ontario
A recall for a type of jelly pork sold in Ontario has been issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), citing a possible Listeria contamination.
Canada-India tensions spark travel concerns among members of Indian diaspora
As tensions escalate between India and Canada, some in the Indian diaspora say they're concerned about how the situation might affect travel between the two countries.
Investigators name person of interest in disappearance of Vancouver Island woman
Mounties have released startling new details about their investigation into the disappearance of Amber Manthorne, who was reported missing on Vancouver Island more than two years ago, and is believed to have met with foul play.
U.S. long-range B-2 stealth bombers target underground bunkers of Yemen's Houthi rebels
The U.S. military unleashed B-2 stealth bombers to target underground bunkers used by Yemen’s Houthi rebels early Thursday, a major escalation in the American response to the rebels' attacks on Mideast shipping lanes that appeared to be a warning to Iran as well.
JD Vance says 'no,' Trump did not lose the 2020 U.S. election
U.S. vice-presidential candidate JD Vance said "no," former U.S. president Donald Trump did not lose the 2020 election "by the words" the Ohio Republican would use, when asked Wednesday what message it sends to independent voters that he has not directly answered that question.