Man gunned down in Brampton identified

Peel Regional Police have identified Brampton’s 10th murder victim of the year as Kareem Watson, 34.

The Brampton resident was gunned down in front of Slumdog Bar and Grill at the corner of Bovaird Dr. and Brisdale Dr. around 11 p.m. Thursday.

Peel’s Homicide Bureau is investigating.

The plaza where the bar is located was cordoned off all night and throughout the day Friday as forensic investigators searched for evidence and homicide detectives interviewed witnesses and examined the scene.

Watson was found without vital signs as police arrived on scene just after 11 p.m. Despite attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are looking for witnesses who were in the area at the time, and for anyone who was driving in the area and may have dash-cam video.

“We don’t have any suspect information at this time,” Peel police spokesperson Akhil Mooken said. “We are appealing for witnesses, dash cam video and surveillance video.”

Shootings in Peel are on the rise. Gun violence increased last year with 183 shooting-related charges in Brampton and Mississauga. At the same time, police seized 429 illegal firearms. Peel’s solvency rates are above the national and provincial average, police note, but Chief Jennifer Evans has expressed her concern over the increasing violence in the community and she blames restrictions on police street checks.

“Since the new street check legislation was introduced, it restricted how officers are able to interact with members of the public,” she said recently in a news release.

“This has empowered criminals, who think officers won’t stop them, they now are more confident that they will get away with carrying guns and knives.”