Hamilton police continue to investigate Stoney Creek double homicide

Homicide detectives are continuing to investigate a shooting on the Stoney Creek Mountain that left two teenage boys dead.

On Wednesday at around 2:25 a.m., officers say they responded to reports of gunshots at Tabby Town Co-op Housing at 191 Candlewood Dr., near Rymal Road East and Upper Centennial Parkway.

Police arrived at the scene and found the two boys suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were transported to hospital, where they died due to their injuries.

Police have since identified the two victims as 18-year-old Abdulmalek Shibli and 16-year-old Afef Binafif from Hamilton.

While police have yet to identify the suspect, a neighbour says it’s “no secret” to those living in the complex.

On Wednesday, officers blocked off a significant portion of the co-op housing complex while they investigated.

READ MORE: Police ID two teenage boys killed in Stoney Creek shooting

As of Thursday morning, two police vehicles were parked at the front and back of Unit 32 in the complex.

Evidence of the shooting was still visible on the street, including bullet holes found in windows, a bullet seen lying on the ground, and blood found near the curb, where residents say the other victim was.

Investigators believe the shooting was a retaliation for an earlier disturbance involving bear spray at a home in the city’s east end, near Barton Street East and Centennial Parkway North.

Detectives say at least six individuals showed up to the home at 191 Candlewood Dr., where an exchange of gunfire took place.

“We do know that there was some form of an exchange—whether one was a BB gun or a real gun, we’re still trying to determine those circumstances,” Det. Sgt. Mike Ebert says.

While the investigation continues, police believe this was a targeted incident and say there is no threat to public safety.

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The residential complex where the shooting took place is called “Tabby Town” and the ward councillor for the area Brad Clark says he has been in communication with the board of directors for Tabby Town, and they are going to be holding an emergency meeting soon.

“To look at the safety of the community and what we can do there and then we’re hoping to have a meeting with the residents themselves, to hear their concerns, and just to inform the police as to what’s going on and how they might be able to help us,” said Clark. “You know guns don’t solve anything — they just kill people.”

CHCH News reached out to Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath for an interview, but she wasn’t available.

She did share in a statement where she said in part, that this incident is a “painful reminder of the importance of accessible support for youth, and why I have asked the province to partner with the city to bring a youth wellness hub to Hamilton.”

City council has already voted in favour of a youth wellness hub in the city back in May.

WATCH MORE: WATCH: Hamilton police provide update at 1:30 p.m. on Stoney Creek double homicide

CHCH News also reached out to the Tabby Town board of directors, who said they cannot comment on anything right now.

Investigators urge anyone who may have been involved to seek legal counsel and contact the police to turn themselves in.

“Our job as police is to help tell the story and figure out how everything unfolded,” said Hamilton Police Const. Trevor McKenna. “So CCTV, witness statements, those all come into play — so we’re asking with any of that to contact Hamilton police.”

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact investigators at 905-546-3825.

For those who wish to provide information anonymously, Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton police continue to investigate Stoney Creek double homicide