‘Please help us’: Hamilton police provide update on frequent shootings

This year has seen a record-breaking number of shootings in Hamilton. While police continue to make progress in arresting suspects, many incidents remain unsolved.

Investigators appealed to the public Monday in a news conference, where they laid out the latest arrests and wanted people.

“We do need your assistance,” Steve Bereziuk, who oversees Hamilton police’s shooting response team, said in a press conference.

“We are more successful when we receive information from the public. We are able to apprehend offenders much quicker – it’s not that we won’t get there – but we can do it much quicker when you assist. So please help us.”

There have been a record 54 shootings in the city so far this year, with 48 of them assigned to the shooting response team for investigation.

Since becoming a permanent unit, the team has arrested 30 people and laid 196 charges in non-fatal shootings in Hamilton.

Five more arrests made in Hamilton shootings

Five more people have been taken into custody in connection with shootings throughout the city this year, Bereziuk said.

The first arrest has been made in a daytime shooting on Aug. 10 near Hamilton’s Catholic Children’s Aid Society in the area of Sanford Avenue North and King Street East. Officers say an 18-year-old boy was charged with nine offences, including discharge firearm with intent and aggravated assault.

Another youth was arrested in connection with a shooting that happened near Lime Ridge Mall last month.

The 15-year-old is facing numerous charges, relating to the shooting incident and drug trafficking.

Twenty-five-year-old Akua Page was arrested after letting a 6-year-old child play with his gun, resulting in the gun firing.

Page is facing five charges, including careless use of a firearm and obstructing a peace officer.

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Domanick Dagenais, 24, was arrested in connection with a shooting that happened in the area of Gage Avenue South and King Street East last month.

Dagenais is facing six charges relating to his use of a firearm, and two relating to the possession of fentanyl.

Additionally, a well-known criminal was charged in a triple shooting on June 2 at the intersection of Gage Avenue North and Cannon Street East.

Alexander La, 23, has been charged with 12 offences, including three counts of discharge firearm with intent.

La is already in police custody for unrelated charges.

According to police, La was one of three men involved in a gun battle that erupted in an alleyway off of Kinrade Avenue in May.

In the same month, Hamilton police arrested La following a break-and-enter where a 40-year-old woman was assaulted with a firearm, and a 70-year-old woman was robbed.

He has also been charged in connection with the homicide of 37-year-old Randy Peardon, which took place in June.

Suspects still wanted by police

Police in Hamilton say they are still seeking two men they believe to be involved in separate shooting incidents from the ones listed above.

Kevin Johnson, 44, is wanted on criminal charges for a shooting that happened in an alleyway near Market Street in June.

Similarly, 22-year-old Gary Patrick Cunningham is being sought for his alleged connection to a shooting outside Hamilton’s Peddles Bar.

Officials appeal for help

Though police continue to make arrests in the city’s rising number of shooting events, several remain unsolved.

Hamilton officials are seeking suspects involved in incidents dating back to May.

On May 31, a daytime shooting took place on Market Street. The individuals involved remain at large.

Two unsolved shooting incidents happened in August. On Aug. 10, a boy estimated to be either in his late teens or early 20s was involved in a daytime shooting at Sanford Avenue North and King Street East.

Later in the month, on Aug. 25, two people were shot and injured at Club 33.

On Sept. 21, a shooting outside of Coolers Bar injured one person.

Finally, on Oct. 10, there was a shooting in the area of Showcase Drive. No injuries were reported, but a vehicle was hit.

Police say the victim of this crime was involved in a road-rage incident prior to the shooting.

“It’s up to all of us to ensure Hamilton remains a safe place to live, work, and raise our families,” Superintendent Marty Schulenberg said.

“We urge anyone with information to come forward—every voice matters in helping prevent further violence and bringing those responsible to justice,”

Anyone who has information pertaining to these incidents is urged to contact police at 905-546-4883 or email shootingresponseteam@hamiltonpolice.ca.

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WATCH ABOVE: Hamilton police held a news conference at 11 a.m. Monday to address the record number of shootings in the city this year.