Hamilton police respond to increase in shootings with permanent team

Hamilton police are making their Shooting Response Team a permanent fixture in response to an increase in gun violence in the city.

The year-long pilot project was started to address gunfire that resulted in serious injuries or endangered individuals and properties in Hamilton.

Police say they have recognized the need for a dedicated team to investigate non-lethal shootings as these incidents are happening more often.

For the past two weekends in Hamilton, police have reported two different, unrelated shootings.

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

On the weekend of Feb. 24 to Feb. 25, a man in his 20’s was shot outside the California Dream Lounge on King Street East just before 7 a.m. on Feb. 24, while another incident outside 33 Bowen Restobar at 2:30 a.m. the next day saw a man shot at that pub.

And just this past weekend, two separate shootings happened again.

A man reportedly fired one gunshot into the air during a fight around 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the area of 1123 Main St. East.

And on Sunday around 10 p.m. two men in a vehicle in the area of Centre Road and Concession Road 6 East in Flamborough were surrounded and one shot was fired.

READ MORE: Hamilton police seek suspects in 2 separate weekend shootings

“Shootings, regardless of whether they result in a victim, significantly compromise our community’s feeling of safety,” Deputy Ryan Diodati said.

“The Shooting Response Team ensures dedicated investigative resources are allocated to address shootings and apprehend those responsible.”

The team has reportedly completed 21 investigations to date which lead to 10 arrests and 98 charges laid.

Hamilton police say there were 35 shootings in 2023, 45 in 2022, 39 in 20221, and 51 in 2020.