Hamilton: 12-Year-Old and Woman, 48, Charged in Centre Mall Assault

Hamilton police have charged a 12-year-old boy and a 48-year-old woman after a 59-year-old man was assaulted inside a restaurant at Centre Mall on Nov. 1, 2026. Police describe his injuries as life-altering.

Officers were called at about 1:45 p.m. to a restaurant at 1223 Barton Street East for a reported assault involving two male youths and the man, police said.

What police say happened

According to police, the incident began in front of the restaurant, where young Air Cadets from a local squadron were selling Remembrance Day poppies. Police said two youths approached the cadets and blew a loud air horn directly into their ears. The 59-year-old, who was supervising the cadets, followed the youths into the restaurant to confront them.

Police said a struggle followed, and a woman who had not been involved at first stepped in to help the youths. She is accused of assaulting the man, causing him to fall to the ground. Police said one of the youths then struck him several times before leaving the restaurant. The woman also left before officers arrived.

Officers found the man inside the restaurant with serious injuries. Hamilton Paramedic Services took him to a local hospital for treatment.

Arrests and charges

A short time later, officers found the two youths at a nearby retail store after receiving reports of a new disturbance, which police said was unrelated. A 12-year-old boy was arrested and charged with assault (level one) and aggravated assault.

On the morning of Nov. 2, officers located and arrested the woman. She has also been charged with aggravated assault.

How to help

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to contact Hamilton Police Division 20 CID at 905-546-2907.

Crime in Hamilton

Hamilton's Crime Severity Index was 54.82 in 2025, down 6.61% from the previous year, and its Violent Crime Severity Index was 68.79, according to Statistics Canada.