Man, 80, on trial for attempted murder over Crystal Beach cans
March 19, 2026 at 3:38 AM
A man local to the area accused in a 2024 shooting pleaded not guilty Monday at the Superior Court in Welland to 15 charges, in a case prosecutors say began with a dispute over aluminum cans taken from residential blue boxes in Crystal Beach.
William Symes, 80, faces charges that include two counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and discharging a firearm.
Police arrested Symes on March 11, 2024, after two people suffered gunshot wounds during the incident in the parking lot area near Derby and Rebstock roads in Crystal Beach.
Niagara Regional Police arrived shortly after 6:30 a.m. and located a male and female victim with gunshot injuries. Urgent medical attention was administered by Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics who then transported both to hospital.
The case moved to trial this week before Justice Catrina Braid in the Superior Court of Justice in Welland, according to reporting by the St. Catharines Standard. Proceedings are expected to last about two weeks.
Kirsten Ruegg, a 48-year-old, testified she had dropped off Chris Tuttle, who was gathering cans near the intersection shortly before the shooting. She drove away briefly to check another location before returning.
The witness told the court she saw Symes and Tuttle standing near a parked van when she came back to the area.
“I honked my horn and watched as Tuttle ran in front of my car,” she said.
Ruegg told the court she heard gunshots and yelling moments later. She honked her horn and was then was then struck in the head struck by a bullet.
Emergency crews later airlifted Ruegg to Hamilton General Hospital. Doctors removed a bullet and fragments during treatment.
Tuttle was transported by Niagara Emergency Medical Services to the same hospital and was initially listed in critical condition.
Investigators stated at the time that the dispute involved “competing interests related to the collection of recycling, which may have monetary value.”
Aluminum cans provide small returns when sold as scrap metal. A Niagara scrap recycling company representative reported in 2024 that aluminum sold for about 45 cents per pound. A single pound equals roughly 34 standard cans.
The trial continues in Welland, where the court is hearing testimony from witnesses connected to the events of March 11, 2024.
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About The Author
Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
What is the update on the Bill Symes trial, good article no follow up.
That’s a great question, Lynn. We are a small-town news outlet and unfortunately don’t have a dedicated court reporter. We provide trial updates when we can but are somewhat limited when it comes to covering news that is unfolding elsewhere in the region. We’ll provide an update as soon as we’re able to.
Here is the update: William Symes convicted in Crystal Beach can dispute shooting