Tyler Kennedy, a 39-year-old resident of Sault Ste. Marie, is facing charges for allegedly threatening Mayor Matthew Shoemaker. The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested the suspect on August 13 following reports of online intimidation.
From Tim Hortons assaults to Facebook threats
Tyler Kennedy’s current legal troubles follow a documented history of violent and threatening behavior in Sault Ste. Marie. in July 2024, Kennedy pleaded guilty to threatening the death of a local police officer in a Facebook group, an incident that involved offering donations to local institutions if the officer died. This followed a conviction for assault with a weapon, where Kennedy struck a man with an iron sand wedge at a Tim Hortons on Bay Street.
The judicial record for Kennedy includes a 2022 conviction for assault with a weapon and multiple counts of breaching probation.. According to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, these patterns of behavior have escalated into the current allegations involving Mayor Matthew Shoemaker. While Kennedy has previously apologized and completed an anger management program, his lengthy criminal record remains a central part of his legal profile.
Seeking publicity through a Ward 2 candidacy
Tyler Kennedy’s interest in the upcoming municipal election appears to be driven more by a desire for attention than a commitment to public service. In recent communications with SooToday, Kennedy admitted that his intention to run for mayor or a Ward 2 councillor seat was primarily to "attract publicity" and potentially "split the vote."
Kennedy expressed a lack of personal interest in municipal politics, suggesting that his frequent relocations make a long-term political career unlikely. Instead, he indicated that any fame garnered during a campaign could serve as a portable asset that follows him after an election. This strategy of using political platforms to generate notoriety raises significant questions about the intent behiind his potential candidacy.
The July 24 report and Pilgrim Street arrest
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service initiated an investigation into Kennedy following a report on July 24 regarding online threats. The investigation was bolstered after Village Media, the operator of SooToday, alerted authoriities to a threatening comment intercepted by moderators on their platform.
Officers eventually located and arrested Kennedy while he was walking on Pilgrim Street on August 13. As reported by SooToday, investigators believe Kennedy had been visiting a location frequently used by the alleged victim in an attempt to intimidate them. The police statement noted that the accused had also used public platforms to distribute threatening material.
The race between the August 20 court date and the August 21 nomination deadline
The timing of Kennedy's legal proceedings creates significant uncertainty regarding his potential participation in the October 26 municipal and school board elections. With a court appearance scheduled for August 20, Kennedy faces a critical window before the August 21 nomination deadline.
It remains unclear whether Kennedy will officially file his nomination or which office he intends to seek. Furthermore, the legal community is watching to see if his current charges or previous criminal record will impact his eligibility to run under local election rules. The allegations and his election plans are currently being treated as separate matters by the courts.
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