Father of teen who shot Tyson MacDonald charged with unsafe storage of gun in case tied to homicide
The father of a teenager who was sentenced last week in connection with the 2023 homicide of Tyson MacDonald has been charged with unsafe storage of a firearm in connection with that death.
RCMP confirmed Monday that a 61-year-old man had been charged with two counts of unsafe storage of a firearm and one count of unsafe storage of ammunition "in connection with a recent homicide case in Kings County," but wouldn't connect the charges to MacDonald's death.
However, court documents indicate the man is the teen's father, and the charges are tied to the home where MacDonald was shot and the same date. The Crown confirmed to CBC News that the charges relate to the investigation of manslaughter matter and search of residence.
On Friday, an 18-year-old was sentenced to two years in custody for manslaughter and interfering with human remains in connection with MacDonald's death.
The teen, who was 17 at the time of the crime, can't be named because his identity is protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act. His father can't be named in connection with the case in order to protect the son's identity.
MacDonald was also 17 when he was shot dead in the accused's home in December 2023. His body was found in Kings County after a six-day search.
The teen was initially charged with first-degree murder in MacDonald's death but pleaded guilty in October to the lesser charges.
"If the 'youth' responsible for Tyson's death can not/will not be held accountable ... then the adult to whom the firearm was registered ... should most definitely be held accountable," MacDonald's stepmother, Shannon Morriscey, said in a written statement to CBC News on Monday.
According to an agreed statement of facts, the teen and MacDonald had intended to go to a hockey game that night, but stopped by the teen's house first. There was a shotgun near the door.
RCMP charged the 61-year-old man with two counts of unsafe storage of a firearm and one count of unsafe storage of ammunition. (David Bell/CBC)
The teen pointed it at MacDonald and pulled the trigger, striking him in the left side of his face.
He eventually told police that he panicked, and drove MacDonald's body to Greek River Road and left him there. He later returned to Greek River Road and moved the remains again.
The 61-year-old man is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Georgetown on Dec. 5.
"I hope he receives the maximum penalty," Amanda MacDonald, Tyson's mother, said in a statement Monday. "To me, it's negligence on his part. If you own firearms, there are laws on storage and he needs to be held accountable..."