Police investigate overnight killing of 21-year-old man in Hamilton

Hamilton police are investigating after a 21-year-old man was killed in the city early Sunday morning.

At approximately 2:30 a.m., near Main Street West and Frid Street, a passing taxi driver spotted a man lying on the ground, pulled over and tried to help.

The man was transported to hospital where he died of his injuries.

Police believe the victim had been riding a scooter. Another person also stopped to help, before emergency crews arrived — the area soon became the focus of a homicide investigation.

“We received a call — a 911 call for a possible stabbing — officers arrived on scene,” said Hamilton police Det. Lisa Chambers. “He was subsequently transported to the General Hospital and he was pronounced.”

Part of the investigation is focused on an altercation that happened shortly before the stabbing, but at a different location.

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“We do know that there was an altercation,” said Chambers. “What the content of that altercation was, we’re not 100 per cent sure yet. We’re still investigating, speaking to witnesses and reviewing video.”

Detectives believe the victim was involved in an earlier altercation near King Street West and Paradise Road North, several blocks away.

“Right now, we believe that it was outside of a business,” said Chambers.

One man who lives nearby says he heard a commotion overnight.

“In the middle of the night, I go to the bathroom, and I heard some, you know, just kids being drunk — whatever,” said Mike Arbour, a nearby resident, “but other than that, I went back to bed,”

But police do not believe that’s where the 21-year-old was stabbed.

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“We do believe he was stabbed where he was located,” said Chambers.

Officers say they are in the early stages of the investigation and are still piecing together what took place, and so far have not made any arrests, and have not provided any suspect information.

Police say that the 21-year-old was supposed to start a new job Monday.

Detectives say the victim’s family has been notified.

Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information that may assist with the investigation to contact Det. Alex Buck at 905-546-4123.

Anyone with dash camera footage or video from the areas between 2:00 a.m. to 2:45 a.m. is asked to check their cameras.

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