Update: Police identify victim in daytime drive-by shooting in central Hamilton
Police have identified Yua Blut Kaw as the victim in a daytime drive-by shooting Friday in central Hamilton.
Investigators said in a release the 18-year-old was walking in the area of Cannon Street East and Barnesdale Avenue when someone opened fire at him from inside a dark-coloured car around 4:30 p.m.
Police said multiple shots" were fired from the four-door sedan, fatally wounding the victim. Residents in the area told The Spectator they heard up to four gunshots in quick succession.
The young man was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The killing is the 15th homicide in Hamilton this year and third in less than two weeks.
Police did not have a description of the suspects to offer Saturday morning, but are canvassing for witnesses and video surveillance in the central city neighbourhood.
Investigators are asking anyone with information or footage to contact Det. David Tsuchida at 905-546-4123.
More than a half-dozen cruisers were dotted along Cannon as officers canvassed the working-class neighbourhood that sits steps away from Tim Hortons Field on Friday evening.
Investigators said to expect a heavy police presence" in the area through Saturday as well.
Residents in the area told The Spectator they heard several gunshots before a wave of people rushed out onto the street and toward a person on the ground.
Four gunshots in succession - you knew it wasn't fireworks," said Steve Albert, who lives on Cannon and Barnesdale. We saw a bunch of people run to someone on the ground and walk away horrified."
Steve Shively was walking up the steps of his basement on Somerset Avenue when he heard a loud bang.
I thought it was the construction at my neighbours, but I came out and I saw a body laying there," said Shively, pointing to the corner of Cannon and Barnesdale. There were lots of police around by that point."
Police had cordoned off Cannon between Sherman Avenue North and Lottridge Street, while Barnesdale was blocked between Somerset and King Street East.
Sebastian Bron is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sbron@thespec.com