Good Samaritan death sparks probe
Paramedics allegedly thought shooting victim was faking injury
HAMILTON— Hamilton police have asked Niagara Regional police to launch a criminal investigation into the medical care murder victim Yosif Al-Hasnawi received at the scene of the shooting.
The 19-year-old died an hour after being shot on the sidewalk in downtown Hamilton on Dec. 2 after intervening when two men were harassing an older man outside the mosque where he’d been attending a religious celebration.
Multiple witnesses and family have accused first responders of not believing the “Good Samaritan” had been shot, including paramedics allegedly saying Al- Hasnawi was faking.
The single gunshot wound to the stomach was small and not bleeding heavily, leading some to speculate it was a pellet gun — but it was actually a small calibre handgun.
It took 38 minutes from the time paramedics arrived to when Al-Hasnawi was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 20 minutes later, according to police.
There still remain many unanswered questions, including whether paramedics on the scene properly examined Al-Hasnawi.
And why he was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital and not the closer Hamilton General Hospital, the regional trauma centre where shooting victims should automatically be sent.
Hamilton police have made two arrests in the homicide.
Dale Burningsky King, 19, is charged with second-degree murder.
James Matheson, 20, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
Now, nearly a month later, Hamilton police have asked Niagara to probe the emergency medical care he received.
“Hamilton Police Service has requested the assistance of the Niagara Regional Police Service to conduct a criminal investigation into the emergency medical care provided on scene to Yosif Al-Hasnawi,” the Hamilton police statement reads.
“Niagara Regional Police Service has agreed to conduct the criminal investigation in order to ensure a fair and impartial investigation is com- pleted.” How long the investigation last has yet to be determined, police said.
Hamilton police said they would not be commenting further on the investigation.
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care is also investigating the paramedics under the Ambulance Act, and Hamilton Paramedic Service will be conducting an internal investigation.
This new investigation opens the possibility of paramedics being charged criminally.
There has been an outpouring of grief in Hamilton since the murder, including a vigil at Brock University, where Al-Hasnawi was a student, and a memorial at Hamilton city hall.
Al-Hasnawi’s family travelled to Iraq, where he was buried Monday morning, said family friend Talib AlJalili.