Man killed in Hamilton Mountain shooting that police believe was targeted
A 44-year-old man is dead after being shot in the parking lot of his Hamilton Mountain apartment Saturday night.
Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk of the police major crime unit said the victim had just parked his car and was walking in the parking lot of his 334 East 14th St. apartment building at around 10:50 p.m. Saturday when he was shot.
Police received reports about a man suffering from gunshot wounds shortly before 11 p.m. and arrived within four minutes. They found the man bleeding on the ground and gave him man CPR.
Paramedics arrived and transported the man to the Hamilton General Hospital. He was pronounced dead just before 11:30 p.m.
This is the city's sixth homicide this year.
Police have blocked off the crime scene. Officers will be in the area today canvassing.
Bereziuk confirmed police believe this was a targeted attack. Police are still working to determine what relationship, if any, existed between the attacked and the victim.
The victim was known to police but to a very limited" extent, Bereziuk said.
He was known recently but nothing that really causes me any great concern," he said.
Building resident Kayam Rada said he heard three shots Saturday night: Bang, bang, bang."
He then ran outside and saw someone giving the victim CPR.
Both Rada and another resident, Mark Smith, said the building is safe.
Smith called news of the shooting overwhelming."
Oh, wow, that doesn't make me feel good," Smith said upon learning the shooting was targeted. (This is a) very, very quiet neighbourhood. To come out and hear all this is very, very shocking."
The apartment is located half a block south of Fennell Avenue East, right behind the Princess Bingo Centre and Cresmount Funeral Home.
Bereziuk would not say how many shots were fired or how many times the victim was struck, as that information is considered evidence.
Bereziuk said witnesses have been co-operating with police and he expects to have a suspect description within a day or so. On Sunday morning he wasn't yet sure if there was just one suspect or multiple.
Police are not yet releasing the victim's name. Bereziuk briefly spoke with the victim's family but is giving them more time to notify other next of kin.
He expects the name will be released Monday.
Police are asking anyone who lives in the area to check video surveillance capturing time between the hours of 10 p.m. and 11:20 p.m. for anything unusual or suspicious."
If the public has any information about this crime, police ask that you contact Det. Ross Johnson at 905-546-3827 of call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 to provide information anonymously, or submit anonymous tips online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.
- With files from John Rennison
Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com