31-year-old man injured in east Hamilton shooting

Hamilton police are investigating a shooting that occurred early Tuesday morning near the corner of Barton Street East and Fraser Avenue.

Officers say at approximately 1:50 a.m., police responded to the area near The Centre on Barton after witnesses reported multiple gunshots near an Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) bus shelter.

“I heard a couple of gun shots, around seven to eight gun shots at night and then when I took a look outside my window, I saw a car going too fast and taking a turn from this side to that side. It was terrifying,” says a neighbour who asked to remain anonymous.

Police say a 31-year-old man was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

They believe either he, or his friend who he was standing with, were the target of the shooting.

Seven shell casings were found at the scene.

CHCH News obtained surveillance footage that shows people in the area moments before the shooting.

The video shows a man and a woman inside a SUV on the left side of the screen when the woman gets out and has a verbal confrontation with people out of frame.

Gunfire starts about a minute after the woman gets in the vehicle and drives off.

The suspect vehicle was last seen driving southbound fast on Fraser Avenue. Police have not yet released a suspect description or a description of the vehicle.

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The glass bus shelter was also damaged in the shooting.

Officers say this is the 23rd shooting so far this year.

“We’ve had two homicides in the past few months involving bus shelters so truly alarming and this gun violence needs to stop,” says Const. Adam Kimber from Hamilton police.

Residents also expressed concerns for their safety and worries that they may be caught in the gun fire next time.

“You’re always afraid to get in a dispute with a passenger over a fare or over anything else. It could escalate to the point and you don’t know who’s carrying or who’s not,” says Eric Tuck, the HSR Union President, saying that gun violence adds another worry to the minds of bus drivers.

“We have to look out for each other. We have to care for one another. We also have to trust that the police are going to do their jobs and investigate and try to get down to the root of it,” says Hamilton Councilor Tammy Hwang.

Police expect to have more information an a suspect and vehicle description in the next few days.

Authorities are asking for residents and businesses in the area to review any surveillance or dash camera footage they may have between 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. for suspicious activity.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through crime stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at Crime Stoppers Hamilton’s Website.

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