Two shooters: Hamilton police say two guns were fired at double homicide in Barton Street after-hours bar

Hamilton police says it's now clear two guns were fired inside Urban Lounge, a crowded after-hours bar, where two people were killed and two others hurt earlier this year.

But more than seven months after the March 8 shooting, homicide detectives say the investigation has been challenged by a lack of co-operation from some witnesses.

On Monday, police released a photo of someone they say was a witness captured on surveillance video with one of the homicide victims, 39-year-old Jahmal Thomas, that night. Police say the man was seen with Thomas first at Zen Lounge, and then Urban Lounge, in the basement of Sam's Tavern on Barton Street East.

They appeared to be good friends, getting drinks together and at each other's side most of the night, said Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk, of the major crime unit. Yet all these months after Thomas was killed, police do not know who he is.

I'd love to hear what he has to say," Bereziuk said. I'm disappointed that he has not come forward."

The unidentified man is a witness and not suspected of being involved in the violence, police said. Releasing his image was a last resort."

Police maintain Thomas was the intended target of the shooting, although exactly why he was targeted is not clear. Rhonda Homsombath, a 25-year-old mother, was an innocent bystander killed as she was out dancing with friends.

It's a highly solvable case, but we need some people to help," Bereziuk said.

What is known is that Thomas and Homsombath were killed and two men, a 38-year-old and a 29-year-old, were hurt in the shooting inside the bar around 5 a.m.

Police initially believed there was one suspect who opened fire. However, ballistics tests now show two guns were fired.

Bereziuk declined to say whether police believe both suspects opened fire, working together, or whether they were firing at each other. He also declined to say if both homicide victims were killed by the same gun.

Thomas had an extensive criminal record and was living in a Brantford halfway house at the time of the shooting. His family also described him as a loyal and devoted father.

Homsombath, a single mother, was with a group of people out celebrating the life of an unrelated homicide victim - Carel Douse, who was fatally stabbed in a May 2019.

The memorial group had been at Zen Lounge on John Street that night, and some of the group moved on to the after-hours bar. Thomas was with two other people and been at the same bars, but he was not with the Douse memorial group.

While detectives have had some co-operation from witnesses, other have been reluctant to come forward.

The homicide happened about a week before things began to close down in Ontario amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Progress detectives were making slowed as witnesses were not comfortable going to the police station to give statements.

But months later, with safety precautions in place, Bereziuk said witnesses have come up with new excuses not to participate.

Bereziuk said he believes some witnesses may be afraid of being labelled a rat" or afraid of retribution. But he stressed police can protect witnesses who come forward.

A single mother was gunned down for no good reason, an absolute casualty to reckless gunfire," he said.

And Jamal didn't deserve to be killed ... whatever the dispute was about, this was not a way to end it."

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Daryl Reid at 905-546-3825.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com