Man acquitted of shooting Hamilton child is shot dead
A 23-year-old man acquitted last year in the shooting of a seven-year-old Hamilton boy has been shot dead in Vaughan.
York Regional Police have identified the homicide victim as Jayden Pitter, 23, of Brampton. He was killed in a shooting at an industrial plaza on Creditstone Road, near Highway 7 West, on Wednesday around 3:50 a.m.
Police said Pitter was found dead at the scene, while another man was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries, but has since been upgraded to stable.
In May 2022, Pitter was found not guilty by a jury after being charged in the shooting of a seven-year-old Hamilton boy who was inside his family’s Gordon Street home on Jan. 23, 2020. The boy, whose identity is shielded by publication ban, was struck by one of two 9 mm bullets fired through the rear window of the home. He spent four days on life support, but survived.
The Crown had argued it was Pitter, a rapper who went by the nicknames “Lowkey” and “Kyrie,” who fired the two shots into the home. Court heard Pitter frequented the home and had an issue with another adult in the house.
The trial hinged on the credibility of Pitter’s co-accused Mohd Amiri, whose identity was shielded by a sweeping publication ban until the conclusion of the trial. The Crown argued Pitter was the shooter, but his defence lawyer argued it was Amiri.
Pitter was ultimately found not guilty on charges of intentionally and recklessly firing into a place knowing someone was inside, as well as aggravated assault, and was released.
Pitter’s defence lawyer, Scott Reid, declined to comment on the homicide.
The Spectator has confirmed that the boy in the 2020 shooting is the son of a man in prison on an unrelated murder.
Detectives believe the shooting was “targeted,” but have not commented on any possible motive.
York police say they’re looking for two suspects who wore dark clothing and drove a dark-coloured, mid-size SUV.
Police also believe there were several people in the area at the time of the shooting. Any witnesses who have not yet spoken with police are asked to come forward.