Police looking for additional suspects in Arthur Avenue homicide
Hamilton police continue to search for additional suspects - as many as two or three - involved in a shooting inside an Arthur Avenue North house that left one man dead and another with a serious gunshot wound to the leg.
Robert Barberstock, 53, lived in the main floor unit of the house at 29 Arthur Ave. N., on the corner of Acorn Street and northeast of Sanford Avenue North and King Street East, where he was fatally shot shortly before 4 p.m. March 24.
About half an hour later police found 38-year-old Luke Willems with a life-threatening leg injury at the Red Rose Motel, at 553 Queenston Rd. He has since been charged with first-degree murder.
It remains unclear exactly what happened inside the Arthur Avenue home, including whether Willems and Barberstock knew each other and why Willems was allegedly inside the 53-year-old's home. Homicide unit Det. Sgt. Jason Cattle would not say whether police believe there was more than one shooter or how many weapons were involved.
Some witnesses have come forward with information, however, detectives are looking for as many as two or three more suspects. It is not clear whether police believe Willems is a shooter.
Police have recovered a vehicle used, but no suspect information has been released.
Willems was known to police before the shooting, including for his arrest in connection with an armed attempted abduction in Burlington last year.
On March 25, 2022 he was charged by Halton police with possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose, kidnapping using a firearm and using a firearm while committing an offence.
In October, he pleaded guilty to the weapon possession charge and the others were withdrawn.
According to facts read by assistant Crown attorney Ameen Al Rohani, Willems rented a white Lincoln ZHR that he was captured on video driving at the time of the attempted March 18, 2022 abduction. When police located the car in his driveway the following day, a steak knife was found under the driver's seat.
No other details about the abduction incident or his co-accused were read. He was given a suspended sentence and one-year probation that included the requirement he not possess any weapons.
At that time, Willems had a previous criminal record that ended in 2015. The Spectator has learned he also has outstanding charges for assault and impaired driving in Barrie, from alleged offences 2021.
In hospital, Willems' condition was downgraded to stable and non-life-threatening.
Police continue to search the Arthur Avenue home and the motel. It's unclear if any weapons have been recovered.
Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Lisa Chambers at 905-546-3843. To remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.
Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com