Recent shootings linked to drug trade
29 incidents involving gunfire in Hamilton this year already surpasses total for 2016
There have been 29 shootings in Hamilton so far this year, surpassing last year’s high of 22 and signalling a troubling trend of targeted, drug-related violence for police.
“We recognize the increase in the number of incidents and are actively investigating them,” said Hamilton police spokesperson Const. Jerome Stewart.
“We believe the shootings have been targeted and we are concerned because one shooting is too many.”
The shootings — including five in the last week — are believed to be largely tied to the illegal drug trade, he said. There is no evidence these recent shootings are connected.
Hamilton police have previously said this same illegal drug trade is behind a similar increase in home invasions since last year. Many of the home invasions involve weapons, with some also involving shootings.
With 29 shootings and still four months left in 2017, the city has already outpaced the rate of shootings in the last several years.
There were 22 shootings in 2016, but that itself was considered a jump from previous years. According to police statistics, there were 14 shootings in 2015, seven in 2014, 12 respectively in 2013 and 2012.
Some of the shootings appear to have happened in clusters, with 10 occurring over a month between April and May, and the five over this last week.
Only one shooting this year has been deadly — the gangland-style execution of Angelo Musitano in the driveway of his Waterdown home May 2. Nearly two months later his brother, Pasquale (Pat) Musitano, the reputed head of the Musitano crime family, had his home sprayed with bullets.
Stewart said Hamilton police “recognize the impact that a shooting has on our community.”
“We believe there are people out there who have information about what has happened over the last few days and we encourage anyone with information about these crimes to contact (Hamilton police),” he said. Recent shootings include: Around midnight Friday, Sept. 1, two people were sent to hospital after a shooting near Quigley Road and Albright Avenue. Police said the gunfire erupted after a disagreement escalated.
Later that same morning, police were called after gunshots were fired at an unoccupied vehicle parked at a townhouse complex on Upper Wellington Street, just south of the Lincoln Alexander Parkway.
On Sunday, Sept. 3, two teens suffered serious injuries after being found shot in two separate locations in the area of Upper Ottawa Street and Limeridge Road East.
On Monday, Sept. 4, police were called to reports of gunfire near 66 Greendale Dr., where officers found an “unco-operative male with minor injuries” and a damaged parked car.
On Tuesday, Sept. 5, police were called to the Staybridge Suites hotel on Caroline Street South for a nearby shooting. Two men were seen fleeing in what appeared to be a red Toyota Yaris with a flat tire and bullet holes.
No charges have been laid in any of these most recent cases. Investigations are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Hamilton police at 905-546-4771. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
We believe the shootings have been targeted. CONST. JEROME STEWART HAMILTON POLICE