The gunfire on Hamilton streets

TIMELINE: 2015

THE NEWS ABOUT HAMILTON’S CRIME

— and particularly violent crime — is pretty good: Youth (aged 12 to 17) involvement in crime and violent crime continues to decline, overall crime rates are generally in decline and homicides are at an all-time low. But the city was shaken by a series of highly visible public shootings — two of them resembled Wild West shoot-outs. For the second year in a row, the city saw shootings in which as many as three people were struck by flying bullets.

As of Dec. 23, police have confirmed 13 shootings in Hamilton this year, two of them resulting in deaths and six involving injuries.

A Spectator total — which includes self-inflicted and accidental shootings — puts the total number of shooting incidents at 16, the number killed at four, and the number injured at nine. Police have made arrests in four of the shootings. In a fifth, the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police have no arrests and no charges in 10 of the 16 shooting incidents.

JAN. 8, 9:30 P.M. Where: 28 Madison Ave. Homicide: Nathan Miller, 20 Outcome: Three men and a 15-year-old charged, fifth still sought

Hamilton’s first homicide victim of 2015 died in a burst of gunfire in a Madison Avenue home, which neighbours describe as a “drug house.” Police say five young black men entered at about 9:30p.m. and gunfire broke out shortly afterward, with witnesses reporting as many as four gunshots. Victim Nathan Miller was from Toronto, but he and his cousin had been visiting Hamilton increasingly during the previous year. The suspects were described by police as “friends” not gang members. Jemall Wilson, 20, Devonte Martin, 20, Shamoiey Akindejoye, 21, and a 15-year-old youth have been charged in his murder. Police say they are still seeking a fifth male.

JAN. 15, 8:45 P.M. Where: Fine Touch Jewelers, Eastgate Square Armed robbery: Four store employees endangered, none hit. Outcome: Two men charged

Two men attempt a gunpoint “smash and grab” clear-out of the display cases at Fine Touch Jewelers inside Eastgate Square while four employees are in the store. Staff tackled one robber and the second unloaded four shots before abandoning his now-injured partner and fleeing. Nicholas Mihajlovic, 25, of Hamilton, and Jonathan Miljanovic, 28, from Stoney Creek, face 12 weapons charges apiece.

FEB. 4, 1 P.M. Where: Hamilton Gun Club, Hwy 20 Wounding: 80-year-old male Outcome: No charges — shooting ruled accidental

Police responding to an emergency call at the Hamilton Gun Club — a shotgun-only club — discovered an 80-year-old man who had been shot in the upper left arm by his 73-year-old friend. After investigation, the shooting was ruled accidental and no charges were laid. According to club office manager Donna George, “The gentleman’s gun jammed and then discharged.” She said it was the first incident of it’s kind since 1882.

MARCH 28, 2 P.M. Where: Main Street East and East Avenue South Wounding: One male found in alley with “lower body injury” Outcome: No arrests, no charges

An employee from the nearby Marz Paints store said he heard a “major commotion” outside that spurred him to walk around the corner where he found a man writhing in pain on the ground, suffering from what police called a “lower body” gunshot wound. As police investigated they arrested two men from an apartment above nearby Main Street stores, but we were unable to confirm if they were connected to the shooting.

APRIL 12, 2 A.M. Where: Queenston Road, near the Red Hill Valley Parkway Wounding/suicide: Two injured, one dead. Outcome: Suspect died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds

A quartet of friends in a third-floor Queenston Road apartment, answer a knock at the door and are met by a shotgun-wielding Frank Pearce. With little or no warning, Pearce fired, seriously wounding Brandon Clark and Scott Morin as their two friends crashed out to the balcony and leapt to the ground below. Pearce then shot and killed himself.

MAY 3, 1:25 A.M. Where: Cameron Avenue Wounding: 47-year-old male Outcome: No arrests, no charges

Emergency responders to a Cameron Avenue address discover a 47-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest.

MAY 13, 1:30 P.M. Where: Delawana Drive, near Centennial Parkway Multiple shots: No injuries Outcome: Four arrested, face weapons charges

A confrontation between two groups of young men escalated into midday gunfire on Delawana Drive. No one was injured in the shooting, although witnesses say a vehicle was hit by multiple gunshots. Police arrested and charged three men near the scene: Vira Danh, 23, Vi Rith Danh, 22, and Ayman Abdulreheem, 19. Kadhem Abdulrahim, 23, turned himself in to police with his lawyer two days after the shooting and faces similar charges.

MAY 17, 3 A.M. Where: King Street East and Ashley Street Multiple shots: No injuries Outcome: No arrests, no charges

Fifteen minutes after closing time at the Homestead Bar, a staff member stepped away from a side window to get her mop. As many as five shots were fired from a gas station across the street from Homestead — one of the bullets punched through a window where the staff member was about to start cleaning.

MAY 17, 6:15 P.M. Where: Main Street East and East Avenue South Multiple shots: No injuries Outcome: No arrests and no charges

Another daylight shooting as two young black men engage in a running gun battle on Main Street East and along East Avenue South. Bullets hit store and car windows, and the roadway was also littered with shell casings. A look at a dashcam video that captured a portion of the gunfight shows a dozen automobiles and at least five pedestrians were in the field of fire when the shots rang out.

JUNE 15, 10:30 P.M. Where: 392 MacNab St. Wounding: Three males shot by a pair of young men armed with handguns. Outcome: No arrests and no charges

A group of young men were standing outside 392 MacNab St. talking when two suspects got out of a vehicle on Picton Street, moved toward the group, produced two handguns and began shooting. Up to 12 shots were fired, with three males, 18 to 22 years old, hit and hospitalized for their injuries.

JUNE 26, 5:30 P.M. Where: Near 392 MacNab St. N. Multiple shots: No injuries Outcome: No arrests, no charges

Neighbours reported hearing up to three shots, and police responded quickly and in force, but police say they found no casings, no victims, no bullet holes.

AUG. 8, 3:30 P.M. Where: Wentworth Street South, near Rutherford Avenue Robbery: Shots fired, no injuries Outcome: No arrests, no charges

A 19-year-old man walking on Wentworth Street South is accosted by three others about the same age. The trio demanded the victim’s property and in the ensuing struggle, at least one of the men fired a gun — although two types of shell casings were found at the scene — and another chased the teen with a knife, before the trio fled in the car. Three children peeling apples on a nearby porch, a woman gardening and other residents were out on the street at the time of the mid-afternoon shooting. No one was injured.

AUG. 12, 8:30 P.M. Where: Jamesville housing complex parking lot at Simcoe Street West and MacNab Street North Homicide: Shariek Douse, 18 Outcome: No arrests, no charges

For the second time in 10 months, Douse was the target of gunfire in the courtyard and parking lot of the Jamesville townhouse complex he called home. This early-evening shooting took place with numerous adults, youth and children outside in their yards or the shared space. Two or three shots were fired by Douse’s lone assailant.

SEPT. 19, 4 A.M. Where: Hess Village, Queen Street and York Boulevard Multiple shots: No injuries Outcome: No arrests, no charges

Several people were seen running from the area of Queen Street North and York Boulevard after multiple shots were fired. Police say shell casings were recovered from the scene. A man found hiding nearby was arrested by police and faces charges for cocaine possession and bail violations. Police have not said if they believe he is connected to the shooting.

SEPT. 19, 1:50 P.M. Where: Tim Hortons, Barton Street East, near Melrose Avenue North Shooting: One injured Outcome: 15-year-old arrested

Following an altercation between a 15-year-old and two older males, the teen produced a modified flare gun and fired it at the other two inside the Tim Hortons. A 22-year-old male suffered “superficial wounds”

DEC. 21, 10:45 P.M. Where: 21 Miller Dr, Ancaster Homicide: Carman Ward, 60 Outcome: No arrests, no charges

Police say Carman (Bud) Ward, was shot in the chest and died during a violent home invasion at his Miller Drive home. One of his two grown sons was injured. It’s unclear how many firearms were used, but neighbours reported hearing multiple gunshots. Police conducted a drug search of the home, but have not yet released details of what, if anything, they found.