Back-to-back shootings in Hamilton’s core hospitalize 2 men over weekend

Hamilton police are working to pin down the details of two weekend shootings in the city that they say began with a scene of chaos outside of a downtown bar. 

They happened less than a day apart and spanned only a few city blocks.

Investigators are calling both incidents targeted events and say that there’s no outstanding risk to the public.

The shootings mark a sudden uptick in violence in the city and come just two weeks after Hamilton saw its first homicide of the year.

In the first shooting, police say they were called to the California Dream Lounge just before 7 a.m. Saturday after receiving a call about a possible shooting in the area.

READ MORE: Hamilton police arrest man wanted for the murder of his father

When they arrived, they found a man in his 20’s outside the establishment who had been shot.

Authorities say he was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Less than 24 hours later, another man was shot outside a downtown Hamilton business just a few blocks away.

Officers say they were called out to 33 Bowen Restobar for a possible shooting shortly after 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

When they arrived, they found a man inside the pub with a gunshot wound.

READ MORE: Hamilton resident identified as victim of fatal Haldimand County crash

In an update on Sunday, investigators said that the man was being treated in hospital, but his current condition remains unknown.

Beyond that, the force hasn’t said much more. What led up to either shooting remains unknown, and neither case has a suspect description to go along with it.

Police are, however, asking for help piecing together what happened.

“If you have any information or video that could assist in this investigation, you are asked to contact the Shooting Response Team at 905-546-4883,” the HPS said in an update on their website.

With gun violence in the city on the increase, police say this weekend’s events mark seven shootings in the city this year.

READ MORE: Toronto police in Hamilton searching for evidence in bus stop shootings