Hamilton police identify city’s latest homicide victim

**UPDATE**

Hamilton police have released the identity of the city’s latest homicide victim.

Christopher La Rose, of Brampton, died in hospital following a stabbing at an east-end motel.

Shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday, police were called to the Red Rose Motel at 553 Queenston Rd.

Officers arrived on scene and found the 40-year-old man on the sidewalk suffering from stab wounds.

He was taken to a local hospital where he later died.

During a news conference Sunday evening, Acting Det. Sgt. Daryl Reid said the incident started as an altercation at the motel.

“The victim was injured at that location and left the area on foot and was located a short distance east of the motel. We had to lock down that area because it contained forensic evidence that was being left behind by our victim,” said Reid.

Reid says the man was not a tenant at the 12-unit motel but was visiting people there.

According to a news release issued Monday morning, police say an unidentified suspect went to the motel where La Rose was visiting and engaged in an altercation with him. La Rose was stabbed during the attack and attempted to flee the area on foot. Police say La Rose collapsed near a bus shelter a short distance away.

A resident in a nearby home saw the victim in distress on the street and called 911.

Investigators believe this was a targeted attack and are reviewing area surveillance video from the area in an effort to identify the people involved.

They would not say if a weapon had been recovered.

Police are expected to be on scene throughout Monday as officers execute a search warrant inside the unit and speak with residents in the surrounding neighbourhood.

Anyone with information that could help with the investigation can contact Hamilton police.