A city that rarely saw gun violence over the years, decades, even, lived through two homicides that took lives, and impacted many others, just 10 weeks apart.
2024 was an infamous year that shocked a community not accustomed to such life-changing events.
Bob Roth heard madness unfold on the first day of August.
Roth told MyStratfordNow he was sitting outside enjoying a cider with his wife.
“We heard the one, that’s when you think it’s a firecracker. Ten seconds later we heard another one. No other noises and then about five seconds later, we heard another one.”
Roth said it quickly became apparent what was going on.
“So we are looking at each other, my wife and I, and I said, that was gun shots.”
It was an ongoing feud between neighbours in the newly-built Bradshaw Drive area in the north end of the city.
Stratford police responded to gun shots late that night.
Ricky Bilcke had opened fire and shot three victims.
The shooter initially fired from across the road with a high-powered rifle, hitting Jonathan Bennett, 36, who was later pronounced dead at hospital.
The shooter went and got a shotgun and entered onto the roadway where he shot David Tokley, age 43.
Tokley made it through extensive surgery, albeit with a long road of recovery ahead of him.
The third victim, Stephanie Irvine, was targeted and shot.
She is the second survivor of the attack and has life-altering injuries.
Bilcke, age 31, turned the gun on himself that night and ended his life.
Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma said at the time that the incident shook the city.
“We know people were directly impacted and indirectly and we know people still struggle from what happened. We need to reassure them we are journeying together as we move forward.”
A city still reeling would face another homicide on the morning of Oct. 15.
Kassidy Ballantyne-Holmes, age 35, died at Stratford General Hospital after suffering a gunshot wound.
Police found her unresponsive at a residence on Ontario Street, after arriving shortly after 5 a.m. Keith Savile was arrested at the scene.
The 41-year-old is charged with second degree murder.
It was a shocking instance of intimate partner violence in Stratford.
The community held a Memorial Walk to honour the memory of Ballantyne-Holmes.
Tash McCormick, a long-time close friend of Ballantyne-Holmes, said the memorial walk was “insanely hard but insanely healing.”
“There’s no need for this to happen. No matter what the scenario, this really didn’t need to happen. I really feel like if there was more awareness of how much of a problem this is, even in our community,” expressed McCormick.
In December, an act of intimate partner violence saw a 51-year-old male arrested for charges that include aggravated sexual assault. A woman escaped her attacker on foot, and the man barricaded himself inside a home after she escaped.
The woman was helped by a passerby walking down Mornington Street. She was taken to hospital with injuries.
Police successfully negotiated with the man to leave the residence.
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Stratford last month was a time to remember those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who have been lost to it.
Lisa Wilde, executive director with the Emily Murphy Centre, a residence for women who have experienced violence, said the issue is far reaching.
“This is not just a women’s issue, this is an issue that affects every single person in this country, one way or another.”
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If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, know you are not alone and there is support for you.
The following is a list of some of the resources available in the community:
Optimism Place – This is Perth County’s only women’s shelter.
270 Freeland Drive, Stratford
(519) 271-5550
Emily Murphy Centre – This is a second stage housing facility for women and children.
67 Barron St, Stratford
(519) 273-7350
Victim Services Huron Perth – This is a support agency for victims and survivors of crime, trauma and tragic circumstance.
325 Albert St, Clinton
(519) 600-4108
– with files from Melissa Dunphy
