‘Yelling’ reported in alley before Hamilton man fatally shot

A 38-year-old man is dead after being shot in an alleyway near his home in central Hamilton on Wednesday night.

The victim was found in the alley that runs between houses on Birch and Gibson avenues, north of Cannon Street East, shortly before 10:30 p.m.

Family and others in the area heard at least one gunshot and rushed to help the man, said Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk, of the major crime unit.

Before the shooting there was “some sort of dispute,” with yelling, he said.

But it’s not clear what the victim was doing in the alley, or what happened before the shooting. However, Bereziuk said detectives are open to the possibility of more than one suspect.

Emergency services found the man gravely hurt at a T-intersection in the alley, where the section that runs north-south meets one that runs east-west to allow access to Birch.

The victim was transported by paramedics to Hamilton General Hospital where, despite “extensive medical work,” he died around 11:15 p.m.

Bereziuk said detectives spoke with some witnesses who have been helpful, but who only have limited information. Police believe there are more people who helped the victim that police are working to track down.

“We’re still trying to figure out exactly what happened,” he said.

There also appears to be a number of security cameras in the area, including in the alleyway, that police hope will help fill in the gaps.

A neighbour, who did not give his name due to concerns for safety, said he heard a “loud noise,” which he assumed was a gunshot, near his garage just before 10:30 p.m.

In his basement at the time, he ran upstairs to check out what happened. The man, who resides a few houses down from the alleyway on Gibson, could hear the victim yelling “unintelligibly.”

“He then started screaming for his mom, at which point a lady told him to call 911,” said the neighbour. “I heard many moans and screams from him. Within probably five minutes, a group of people were around him and telling him to stay with it and to breathe.”

He said within minutes, a number of police cruisers descended on the residential street. One officer immediately attended to the victim, while at least two officers ran down the alley heading east.

“To have someone shot and killed within 20 feet of your house … it’s really unnerving,” said the neighbour. “My heart goes out to the family.”

There was a heavy police presence in the area on Thursday as police canvassed for witnesses and sought video surveillance.

The death marks the seventh homicide in Hamilton this year. This includes a double stabbing in a downtown apartment building Monday that left a couple in their 60s — Moui Khuu and Hung Vo — dead. Their son, 34-year-old Phuoc Hoa Vo, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder.

The shooting Wednesday night also marks the seventh shooting in Hamilton this year. There have been five people shot, including two deaths.

Anyone with information on the fatal shooting Wednesday night, including anyone in the area or with video between 10 and 11 p.m., is asked to call Det. David Brewster 905-546-4067.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.