Last Updated: Thursday, September 20, 2007 | 11:51 PM ET
The Canadian Press - Posted CBC
Arrest warrants have been issued for three people wanted in an attack last week on a builder during the aboriginal occupation of a housing development in Caledonia, Ont., south of Hamilton.
Sam Gualtieri, 52, suffered serious facial injuries and possible brain damage Sept. 13 when he confronted protesters inside a house he was building for his daughter in the Stirling Woods development.
Haldimand County police detectives, with help from the Ontario Provincial Police intelligence bureau and Six Nations Police, have identified three suspects and issued warrants for their arrest, Const. Paula Wright, an OPP spokeswoman, said late Thursday.
Richard Smoke, 18, is wanted for aggravated assault and break and enter; Byron Powless, 18, is wanted for assault and break and enter; a 15-year-old youth, who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is wanted for assault, uttering threats and break and enter.
Gualtieri was released from Hamilton General Hospital on Tuesday but still requires tests to determine whether he suffered brain damage.
Joe Gualtieri said earlier his brother was confronted by at least three males when he went into the house. He believes a banister may have been used in the assault.
Aboriginal protesters who were at the site that day have said the youths Gualtieri encountered were trying to defend themselves.
Earlier Thursday, eight of nine protesters arrested at the building site on Wednesday were released on bail, including an American who was allegedly carrying brass knuckles.
Ronald Cook, 31, of Akwasasne, N.Y., faces charges of mischief by interfering with the lawful use of property and possession of a prohibited weapon in relation to a pair of brass knuckles.
The protester who remains in jail — Skyler Williams, 24, of Ohsweken — will appear for a bail hearing on Monday.
Williams was picked up on an outstanding warrant for allegedly assaulting a television cameraman in Caledonia in June, 2006.
He now also faces charges of mischief and assaulting police to resist arrest during Wednesday's sweep by about 50 officers in riot gear to clear protesters from the Stirling Woods site.
The other eight protesters were ordered to return to court on Oct. 17 and must keep out of Caledonia as part of their bail conditions.
Police also said Thursday that no one has come forward to claim the $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of vandals who burned a hydro transformer at the height of tension between aboriginals and townspeople last May.