Man dead after shooting in central Hamilton
There have been 15 shootings in Hamilton this year. This is the first fatal one
A 34-YEAR-OLD Brampton man is dead after a person or persons opened fire into a group of about half a dozen people that had gathered on a sidewalk in central Hamilton early Wednesday.
Michael Campbell was killed and three others, two men and a woman in their late 20s and early 30s, suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds on East Avenue North, just north of King Street East, shortly after 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, said Staff Sgt. Dave Oleniuk of the major crime unit.
“We don’t believe there is a danger to the public ... every indication we do have is that it was targeted, at least to somebody in that group,” he said. “Whether or not it was targeted to Mr. Campbell, we’re not sure yet.”
The shooting happened about half an hour after Sheila’s Place, a bar on the corner of King and East, had closed and emptied. Detectives are
still working to figure out whether the group knew each other, were in the bar and then gathered after closing time or had a chance encounter on the street.
But Oleniuk said it appears they were just “shooting the breeze” when the gunshots began without warning. Police do not yet know the motive, including whether it was in reaction to something that happened that night or a chance meeting over an outstanding issue.
Detectives have heard “a few different narratives” about what may have happened before the shooting. The group of people shot at have ties to Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area, he said.
“We are still confirming ... how many suspects we’re looking for, it may be one, possibly two,” Oleniuk said, adding that police will release a suspect description when it’s confirmed.
The shooter or shooters ran from the scene after the shooting and may have fled in a car — some people in the neighbourhood reported hearing squealing tires.
He wouldn’t detail how many shots were fired other than to say “several.” Police have not recovered a murder weapon but believe only one gun may have been used.
At the scene Wednesday, more than a dozen green evidence marker tags could be seen on the sidewalk and road marking shell casings.
A stretch of King, from East to Emerald, was closed for several hours Wednesday morning but has since reopened. East Avenue North, from King to King William Street, including the alleyway behind King, remains closed.
At the time of the shooting, the only other business open in the immediate area would have been the Big Bee Convenience at Emerald and King streets, neighbours said.
At the store an employee said police have spoken with the man who worked overnight but said he was told nothing about what happened when he started his shift the next morning.
Several people were out in the rain taking a look at the scene, blocked by police tape.
Robert Dummerson lives further south on East and said he didn’t hear any gunshots or sirens overnight. He only learned of the shooting when he woke in the morning.
He said news of the shooting was scary but not very surprising in the neighbourhood.
Several people in the neighbourhood said they were dismayed by the brazen disregard for human life.
Three men were seriously injured in a brazen shooting outside Sheila’s Place in 2014. There were also gunshots heard and shell casing founds in the alleyway in 2017.
This is the 15th shooting in Hamilton so far this year, a decrease from recent years.
Last year saw a high of 41 shootings, up from 22 in 2016, 14 in 2015 and seven in 2014.
Hamilton police have previously said most of the shootings are targeted and are tied to the illegal drug trade.
In Toronto, that city is experiencing a significant increase in shootings this year, including several brazen attacks, prompting increased police patrols and promises of increased police funding from the province.
The shooting in Hamilton overnight is the fourth homicide this year and only fatal shooting in this city in 2018.
Hamilton police were out canvassing in the neighbourhood Wednesday, including gathering video surveillance.
Witnesses have been somewhat co-operative with police; however, detectives are still looking to speak with more witnesses and gather more video, Oleniuk said.
Anyone with information, including video, is asked to call Det. Ross Johnson of the major crime unit at 905-5463827.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or www.crimestoppershamilton.com.