Arrest in rooming house murder
Accused already charged with Brantford homicide
Hamilton police have made an arrest in the murder of David Stevens — an innocent victim mistakenly shot inside his Harvey Street rooming house in January when the killer fired through the wrong door.
The 46-year-old was shot through the door of his 21 Harvey St. room by bullets police say were meant for another tenant.
“He was just an innocent individual at home,” said Det. Sgt. Peter Thom of the major crime unit. “He wouldn’t have seen it coming.”
The true target was another tenant who had a unit on the same floor, but who was not home at the time of the shooting around 11:30 p.m. Jan. 29, he said.
Police believe three people arrived at the residence to settle an ongoing dispute between the alleged shooter and the real target. In just 30 seconds, multiple shots were fired through Stevens’ door, striking the 46-year-old who was sitting in a chair, using his laptop computer.
Shajjad Idrish of Stoney Creek is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting.
The 23-year-old was already in
custody charged with the murder of Jason Kossatz, and the attempted murder of two others on Feb. 8 at the Galaxy Motel in Brantford.
Thom said there is no connection between the two homicides other than the fact that both are shootings allegedly involving Idrish.
Both the shooter and the intended target in the Hamilton homicide are “involved in the drug subculture and human trafficking business,” Thom alleged.
Police warned the real target about the threat on his life — a legal obligation called a duty to warn — after the January shooting. The person has since moved from the residence.
There were between seven and nine people in the rooming house at the time of the shooting. Thom said it’s not exactly clear what happened in those seconds before shots were fired.
It’s also not clear why the shooter picked Stevens’ door.
“Our belief is he just picked the wrong door,” Thom said.
Idrish was known to police before the two recent homicides, but only for minor incidents.
Detectives believe he only recently became involved in the drug business.
He moved “very rapidly into this lifestyle,” Thom said, adding that there may have been an incident that was a “turning
point” in his life.
He would not give details about this incident.
Idrish was arrested Feb. 14 in London for the Brantford murder. At that time, Hamilton police had already identified him as a suspect in Stevens’ homicide and travelled to London to try to interview him.
However, there was not enough time after Brantford police spoke with him and he was taken into custody, Thom said. Hamilton police have not been able to speak with him in jail.
But with the alleged killer in custody, Thom said detectives were no longer worried about public safety and had time to go through evidence.
Idrish’s lawyer Asgar Manek said he’s not been able to speak with his client yet. However, the 23-year-old appeared briefly by video in court June 3 and the matter was remanded to June 17.
Hamilton police have surveillance video from Harvey Street on the night of the murder that shows three people kicking in the front door of the rooming house and then running out again 30 seconds later.
The trio fled in a silver or grey Chevrolet Cruze that is a 2015 model or older, with four doors and no sunroof. Police continue to look for this vehicle.
They also have not recovered the murder weapon — only one gun was fired.
The two Hamilton men, a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old, have been identified by police and detectives believe they’re the other two in the video.
On March 6, the 19-year-old was arrested, interviewed and released unconditionally.
The 20-year-old is considered a person of interest and has been notified.
Thom said both men should seek legal advice as their “status may change” and the investigation is ongoing.
Stevens had lived in the rooming house for at least a year. He was unable to work because of a medical condition and received disability benefits.
Stevens grew up in Hamilton. He was an only child. His mom now lives out of town.
Thom said he spoke with Stevens’ mom on Tuesday and she was pleased to hear about the arrest.
“She’s still trying to deal with the death of her only son,” Thom said, adding that she also has to prepare herself to deal with the court system.
Police released an image of the Chevrolet Cruze, which police believe was stolen from Brantford on the night of the murder and had the Ontario licence plate BKXP 727.
Anyone who observes this vehicle or has knowledge of its whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.
Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Rich Wouters at 905-546-4921.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.