Two men hospitalized after shooting outside Hamilton Mountain pool hall

A second shooting in less than a month on Upper James Street in Hamilton has sent two men to hospital.

While it was a stray bullet in April that claimed the life of 21-year-old college student Harsimrat Randhawa, police believe Sunday morning’s gun violence followed a physical altercation outside a pool hall.

A bullet hole and blood can be found on the door to The End Pocket billiards hall on Upper James Street, following what police are calling a targeted shooting.

“The Hamilton Police Service takes every shooting seriously,” said Det. Matthew Dugdale. “It’s unacceptable the level of violence, but we believe this is an isolated targeted incident and no threat to the public.”

Det. Sgt. Michelle Wiley with Hamilton Police said at just before 2 a.m. an altercation took place in the area of Upper James Street and Jameston Avenue, outside of the billiards hall.

Wiley says the shooting took place after that altercation.

Police found a 27-year-old man and a 28-year-old man, both from Hamilton, in the area suffering from gunshot wounds.

The two men were taken to hospital and treated for serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

Both men were released from hospital Monday.

Investigators say a black SUV was seen driving away from the scene, but they can’t say for sure at this point whether the vehicle was involved.

Detectives are asking residences and businesses in the area of Upper James Street, between Hestler Street and the Lincoln alexander Parkway, for video between 1:45 a.m. and 2 a.m.

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An employee at The End Pocket says the pool hall had nothing to do with the shooting.

The employee said the trouble started in the parking lot with some kind of dispute, then there was one shot and seconds later a group of shots.

The shooting comes less than a month after 21-year-old Randhawa was hit and killed by a stray bullet on Upper James Street.

Detectives don’t think the two acts of violence are related.

“At this time, we have no info to suggest they’re connected,” said Dugdale. “The shooting at this business is confined to the people at this business – no connection.”

The latest shooting has rattled people in the area, with local residents worried about their safety and the growing violence.

“It’s definitely a little scary, like it being so close to home – right next door – is definitely a little terrifying for sure,” said Lindsy McVey, someone who lives in the area.

“Like, I was really scared for the safety of everybody, especially since it’s been going on really often lately,” said Linh Dinh, a manager at the Charlie’s Chopsticks restaurant in the area.

“We need more guns off the street,” said Peter Nguyen, a regional sales manager at Charlie’s Chopsticks. “Hamilton back then was safe, these days it’s just getting out of hand.”

Police told CHCH News that the number of shootings this year is down from last year, but that the shootings are “deeply concerning.”

“Our top priority is public safety, and 15 shootings is too many shootings,” said Wiley. “The escalation of violence is deeply concerning and we’re urging anyone who saw something to say something, and to call police or to call Crime Stoppers.”

Anyone with information on the black SUV or any other shooting is asked to contact the Shooting Response Team at 905-546-4883 or to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or if they want to reach out anonymously at Crime Stoppers on their website here.

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