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First-degree murder charges laid against 2 Barrie men after shooting in Keswick park

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Two men from Barrie have been charged after a deadly shooting at a park in Keswick on Wednesday.

York Regional Police (YRP) say officers responded to sounds of gunshots in the area of Bayview Avenue and Lowndes Avenue shortly before 7:30 a.m.

"When officers arrived in the area, they located two adult victims in Bayview Park suffering from gunshot wounds," YRP stated.

The victims, Reilly MacDonald, 21, from Keswick, and Mark Sutcliffe, 39, of Stouffville, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say on Wednesday evening, two men were arrested in connection with the deadly shooting.

John McKay, 19, and Ethan Pashka-McNeil, 21, both from Barrie, are charged with first-degree murder.

Court documents reveal neither man accused of murder has a criminal record.

Those who knew Sutcliffe described him as a big brother who protected his friends and considered many of them his family.

MacDonald, who went by the name Stackzz Mac online, is seen in several social media posts carrying weapons and posing in hoodies and bandanas, throwing up gang signs. Those close to him say he struggled with his mental health.

Police say the relationship between the four individuals has not yet been confirmed, but they have reason to believe they knew each other.

"Investigators believe there are no outstanding suspects, and this was not a random incident. There is no threat to the public," YRP added.

Officers were on Barrett Crescent in Barrie on Thursday evening. An on-duty officer confirmed the presence was connected to an ongoing homicide investigation.

Barrie and York Regional Police officers were out canvassing the area of Browning Trail in Barrie on Friday with the K9 unit and metal detectors in hand.

According to police, the accused have been remanded into custody and are scheduled to make their next appearance in a Newmarket courtroom in early October.

The allegations against the accused have not been proven in court.

With files from CTV's Kim Phillips

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