Posted by A 28-year-old Brantford man has been charged with first-degree murder for a shooting on New Year’s Day in Brantford.
On Monday, Jan.1, just after 5:30 p.m., the Branford Police Service (BPS) received a call about a man who had been taken to the Brantford General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. A 35-year-old Brantford man had been shot in a pharmacy parking lot at the corner of St. Paul Avenue and Terrace Hill Street.
The victim, Jeffrey Ronald Maxner, was rushed to the nearby Brantford General Hospital BGH). Maxner died from his injuries. The hospital was locked down for a time due to the shooting.
Detectives from the BPS major crime unit and other units of the criminal investigation section have been continuing their investigation into this incident.
As a result of the investigation, Joel Scalzo, 28, of Brantford has been charged with first-degree murder, as well as three counts of unauthorized possession of a weapon. The weapons included a switch blade and brass knuckles.
Investigators believe Maxner and Scalzo knew each other and that the shooting was not a random act. A first-degree murder charge suggests the police think the shooting was planned.
Scalzo was arrested on Jan. 4 along Highway 403 near Ancaster and charged with uttering threats regarding the shooting. He was also later charged with 11 counts of possessing drugs for the purpose trafficking in connection with the investigation. The allegation is that Scalzo was trafficking fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, hydromorphone, nabilone, clonazepam, morphine, lorazepam and oxycodone. He was also charged with possession of property obtained by crime.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Det. Amber Jackson of the major crime unit at 519-756-7050, ext. 2271, ajackson@police.brantford.on.ca or Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477.
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