Hamilton police seek witnesses, motive for drive-by killing of Yua Blut Kaw

Hamilton police say grieving family members of Yua Blut Kaw are fearful and seeking answers after the 18-year-old was gunned down in a drive-by shooting Friday.

Investigators are appealing to witnesses or other community members to come forward to help solve the mystery and bring closure for the large Hamilton family.

They loved him dearly and they're quite distraught," said Det.-Sgt. Jim Callender, who said police are still seeking a motive for the apparent targeted shooting Friday in central Hamilton. They are seeking answers just as much as the police are ... they don't understand what happened and it scares them."

The 18-year-old was walking east on Cannon Street near 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. Kaw was pronounced dead in hospital.

Police did not have suspect descriptions to release Saturday, but Callender said investigators spent the weekend canvassing the neighbourhood for witnesses and security video footage.

Several homes on Cannon east of Barnesdale remained cordoned off for the investigation Saturday.

Kaw's death is the 15th homicide this year in the city - and second daytime fatal shooting of a young man in a public place this month. Less than two weeks ago, 19-year-old Sabir Hassen Omer was fatally shot in the parking lot of a downtown coffee shop on King Street just before 3 p.m.

Callender said he is not aware of any connections between the recent killings, but added he understands how the fear of such events radiates" in the community.

When you look at these daytime shootings of young people, there is good reason to be disturbed by that," he said.

The community should be saying, hey, we want to be part of the solution.' That's what we ask for - we ask for them to come forward if they know something or saw something. We want that help."

Callender said police want to hear from anyone who has security video or dashcam footage in the neighbourhood between the hours of 3:30 and 5 p.m. Anyone with information can call Det. David Tsuchida at 905-546-4123.

Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com