Man shot on street neighbours say has serious drug troubles

A man was taken to Hamilton General Hospital suffering from gunshot wounds in what one neighbour has described as a “drug deal gone bad” on Oak Avenue, between Cannon and Barton.

The suspect in the Tuesday evening shooting, described by Hamilton police as “male, black, mid-20s with dreadlocks and a slim build,” is still at large. Hamilton firefighters say there were called to the scene just before 6 p.m.

“My friend who was coming to my house said he head three shots,” said Brenda Blinn, who lives a block and a half away. “It was a drug deal gone bad. I know him (the man injured in the shooting). He’s not a friend per se, but to say hi to and be sociable with.”

The police were blocking r traffic on Oak between Barton Street East and Cannon Street East. “There were a lot of cops,” said Blinn, “and they had the K9 unit out.”

Close neighbour Ashley Desousa expressed concern about the man but also his parents, whom she knows as well. “He would cut my grass. And I’d help take care of his parents. They are so nice.”

Neighbours Dan and Jess, who preferred not to use their last names, say there is a drug issue on the street, especially one house. “It’s a revolving door,” said Jess.

“Are there drugs on the street,” Jess said, repeating back a question just asked of her. She pointed to the middle of the street where lay a syringe in the rain.

Hamilton police could not confirm whether the shooting was linked to a drug deal . There was no information on the man’s condition Tuesday night, said Const. Jerome Stewart.