Shooting on Barton Street East sends man to hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries
Hamilton police are investigating a shooting - the second in less than 12 hours - that sent one person to hospital with serious injuries Wednesday evening.
Police responded to the shooting in the area of Barton Street East and Oak Avenue, between Victoria Avenue North and Wentworth Street North, just before 5:20 p.m.
In a tweet, police said one man was found with gunshot wounds and serious injuries.
Hamilton paramedic Supt. Dave Thompson told The Spectator a 23-year-old man was taken to hospital in critical and potentially life-threatening" condition.
At the scene, at least seven police cars - including two labelled as forensics - were parked along Barton and down Oak in a heavily cordoned-off area.
Investigators could be seen taking photos of the parking lot and patio of Allure Lounge, a Caribbean restaurant that neighbours say is often a source of loud music and large crowds.
Emily Mckenna, who lives adjacent to the lounge, said she heard three loud bangs" before an onslaught of cruisers drove past her home.
I wasn't sure if it was a gunshot," she said, but they were loud. When I peeked out the window, police were already here."
Nicola Viau was gardening in her front yard on Oak when what she thought were fireworks began ringing out.
We always joke anytime we hear something, Gunshot or Firework?'" she said, looking over to the corner near Barton surrounded by police. But today we thought it was fireworks because, ever since Canada Day, people still set them off here all the time."
Earlier Wednesday, police responded to an early morning shooting and carjacking that resulted in a massive search for suspects in a residential Stoney Creek neighbourhood.
A 24-year-old man was arrested in connection with that shooting and charged with several firearm-related offences, police said.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting near Barton and Oak to call 905-536-3817.
Sebastian Bron is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sbron@thespec.com