SIX NATIONS — The two men wanted in connection to the shooting death of Andrew Davis are now in police custody and charged with first-degree murder.
Police arrested Andrew Brent Smoke, 24, of Six Nations on December 3. His accomplice, Eric Jerome Smoke, 22, of Hamilton was arrested on December 11.
On Monday, November 30 at around 5:18 p.m. police and ambulance along with the Brant OPP Canine Unit responded to reports of a shooting on Cayuga Road. Police say the victim, Andrew Davis, 27, of Six Nations was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering gunshot wounds. At the time police reported there was no public safety risk as the victim and suspects were known to each other. Officers informed the public they were in pursuit of the two men who were believed to have fled the scene on foot. Residents were warned to avoid the area of Cayuga Road between 5th and 6th Lines while the search for suspects was underway.
The search that evening was not successful, with police pursuing the suspects for the next two weeks. Just before Eric Smoke’s arrest, OPP sent out an update issuing photos of the 22 year old indigenous man and saying members of the public should not approach him, that he may be considered armed and dangerous and headed to Hamilton. Just a few days after that notice went out to local media, he was arrested without incident.
The Six Nations community offered condolences to the Davis family as Davis, who was called Scruff by friends and family, was memorialized across social media. Friends and family called him a loving father, kind friend and someone who was known for his happy, jovial personality — many of them shocked that someone would have any reason to cause him any harm.
Davis was a part of the Ironworkers Local Union 736. He is survived by a young daughter, his parents, brothers, sister, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on December 6.
In a video posted to social media, Inspector Tim Bomberry of Six Nations Police and Mary Louise Kearns of the OPP appealed to the public looking for witnesses to come forward with details to assist in the investigation.
“We are encouraging additional witnesses to come forward with information in this case,” said Kearns.
Anyone with information is asked to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Six Nations Police at 519-445-2811.