UPDATE: Kidnapping victim found after deadly double shooting near Mount Hope
Hamilton police found a gravely wounded Faqir Ali near the Burlington lift bridge Thursday morning, hours after he was kidnapped from his home and his two adult sons shot in a targeted home invasion near Mount Hope.
One of the young men shot was pronounced dead in hospital. The other, whose injuries were also life-threatening, was in surgery late Thursday morning, said police spokesperson Const. Indy Bharaj. Both men are in their 20s.
Police are not yet saying anything about the nature of the 63-year-old Ali's injuries, except that they are life-threatening, nor are they saying how they found the prominent Pakistani-Canadian businessperson around 9 a.m. near Beach Boulevard.
Police are asking anyone who was around the lift bridge at that time, including any who may have dash camera footage, to come forward.
Police cordoned off a large stretch of Beach Boulevard, from Eastport Drive to Third Avenue after the discovery. Around 10:30 a.m. a pile of clothing and a blue surgical mask could be seen on the lake side of the road, near Eastport and in front of a handful of townhouses. At the same time, police walked up and down Beach, knocking on doors and canvassing for information, while the K-9 unit walked along the sidewalk.
Police dogs could also be seen searching Skyway Park, which was also taped off. The waterfront trail, adjacent to the scene, remained open.
Police were called to the home on Glancaster Road, near Dickenson Road West, at 2:55 a.m. for reports of a shooting and found gunshot victims. Police have not said whether anyone else was in the home.
The focus of the investigation early Thursday was on finding Ali, Bharaj said. But once he was found the focus is now solving the homicide.
Police believe more than one suspect was involved and say Ali was forced into a dark-coloured SUV. However, it's not know what direction they travelled and any weapons involved have not been recovered.
The grey-brick, single-family home at 1059 Glancaster Rd. was surrounded by police tape and the roadway one either side of the home block by police guarding the scene.
Ali is a prominent Pakistani-Canadian figure, who has photos alongside politicians and leading figures including Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and former Canadian prime ministers Stephen Harper and Paul Martin on his personal website. On the website Ali says he is also a spiritual leader.
Ali was a president of the Pakistan Canada Association of Hamilton, including around the time of 9/11, when security had to be increased at area mosques due to Islamophobia. That association has since dissolved.
Zahid Butt, senior vice-president and co-founder of the Pakistan Business Association of Hamilton, said community members been left reeling in the wake of the kidnapping.
I was shocked when I heard. He lives close to my house," said Butt. I know him personally as a community activist, and he is a nice guy. We're all concerned."
Hamilton police homicide investigators are also aware of another website where there are allegations that Ali owed nearly $12,000 to a Brampton man after a 2018 small claims court ruling. That website lists Ali's home address on Glancaster.
The address of 1059 Glancaster Rd. is also listed as Ali's in other records, including in business listings.
The motive in the home invasion, shooting and kidnapping is not clear. However, investigators believe it was targeted.
There is a large police presence at both scene Thursday and police are asking the public to stay away.
The Spectator spoke to several residents in the vicinity where Ali was found and near the shooting scene who said they didn't see or hear anything until police arrived.
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.
More to come.
-With files from Fallon Hewitt and Sebastian Bron
Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com