$20,000 reward floated in David Anderson homicide

It's been nearly a year and a half since David Anderson was shot and killed just metres from the back door of his central Hamilton home, and police have yet to charge anyone in the case.

But there's hope a reward may change that.

Anderson, 38, was found in an alley that runs between Birch and Gibson avenues, north of Cannon Street East, shortly before 10:30 p.m. on April 28, 2021. He later died in hospital.

At the time, police told reporters they believed Anderson had been the victim of a targeted robbery that involved drugs and ended in gunfire.

Four males were captured on video surveillance running east down the alleyway shortly after the fatal shooting and were believed to be suspects.

In June 2021, police released two photos of suspects they believe were tied to the senseless" shooting.

Since then, there have been no updates on the case.

Police believe a reward could help drum up information that would lead to an arrest, and a motion to approve a $20,000 payment will go to the Hamilton Police Services Board Thursday.

At the time of his death, Anderson lived with his mother on Birch Avenue. She wasn't home at the time of the shooting.

Investigators believe around 10:15 p.m. that night, three or four unknown suspects entered the home looking for drugs and possibly cash. Anderson was briefly confined" in the residence while the suspects rummaged around the house.

Police have never specified what kind of drugs were taken, but believe a noticeable amount" was removed, as previously reported by The Spectator.

After the suspects finished looking through the home, police believe they left through the back door with Anderson in pursuit."

The group then ran into the back alley behind the home, where there was a brief dispute, as previously reported. A single gunshot rang out in the neighbourhood and moments later, witnesses found Anderson laying in a pool of blood."

According to the motion, investigators have conducted several interviews and various searches, and employed other investigative avenues" in an attempt to solve the case.

However, a limited number of people" were inclined to come forward and provide information about the homicide.

Investigators believe there are people out there with information, but they may be hesitant to come forward." They think a reward may encourage" them to help.

It is believed that this money would provide an incentive for someone with intimate knowledge of the circumstances to come forward to help solve this murder," reads the motion. We are hopeful that notifying the public of this reward will generate new information."

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com