Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) detectives assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) have been actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting that occurred on April 27, 2025.
As a result of the investigation detectives identified two individuals responsible for the shooting.
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, judicial authorization was granted and 1 District Detectives, with the assistance of 1 District Street Crime Unit (SCU) executed search warrants at two residential address’ in St. Catharines. LeBron SAMUELS (21 years) of St. Catharines was arrested and found to be in possession of a firearm (handgun) and ammunition. As a result of the arrest, Samuels faces the following criminal charges:
- Possession of a loaded firearm
- Possession of a firearm without holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted/ prohibited firearm
- Carry concealed weapon
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Careless use/storage of firearm
As a result of the April 27, 2025, shooting, Samuels faces the following criminal charges:
- Aggravated assault
- Discharge firearm with intent
- Possession of a loaded firearm
- Possession of a firearm without holding a licence
- Careless use of firearm
- Carry concealed weapon
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Assault
- Fail to comply with probation
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, judicial authorization was granted and 1 District Detectives, with the assistance of Barrie Police Service’s Street Crime Unit and Tactical Support Unit executed a search warrant at a residential address in Barrie. Taeshawn JOSEPH (18 years) of St. Catharines, was arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
- Aggravated assault
- Discharge firearm with intent
- Possession of a loaded firearm
- Possession of a firearm without holding a licence
- Careless use of firearm
- Carry concealed weapon
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Assault
SAMUELS was held in custody and attended a bail hearing, that took place on Thursday, May 8, 2025, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church Street, in the City of St. Catharines where he was remanded into custody.
JOSEPH is being held in custody pending a bail hearing, which is expected to take place Friday, May 23, 2025, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church Street, in the City of St. Catharines.
This investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the lead detective by dialing 905-688-4111, dial option #3, extension #1009222.
Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
Incident #25-42629