Teen killed while trying to break up fight in Hamilton

A 19-year-old man is being remembered for his heroism.

The Good Samaritan has been identified as Youif Al-Hasnawi. After leaving prayer and a religious celebration, the teenager attempted to help a complete stranger who was being assaulted. That’s when Al-Hasnawi was gunned down.

Talib Aljalili was at the Al Moustafa Islamic Centre last night when 19-year-old Al-Hasnawi stepped out of the religious celebration briefly.

Hamilton police say the two men bothering the older man turned to Al Hasnawi and shot him for intervening.

It happened around 9 p.m. last night. The gunmen are still on the loose and the handgun they used has not yet been found.

Police say Al Hasnawi was in first year at Brock University studying health sciences, with dreams of becoming a doctor. He was also a stellar athlete.

Aljalili, as well as other witnesses, say paramedics and police on scene did not believe that Al Hasnawis injuries were serious.

When asked, both EMS and police could not confirm first responders were down-playing the victims injuries.

Police say they are looking for two men. One is described as a white in his 20s with long black hair wrapped on top of his head. The other is also a white man in his 20s but with a shaved head wearing a hood and jeans.

Police say the victim and the attackers were not known to each other. They also do not believe that the young man was gunned down because of his religion.