Hamilton police have released a photograph provided by the family of a man shot dead in broad daylight on Wednesday afternoon.
The 19-year-old died in hospital after being shot at around 1 p.m. Wednesday on King Street West near MacNab Street in what police are calling a targeted shooting.
“Alexander Circiumaru was walking on the sidewalk when a single male shooter jumped out of a car and shot several times before returning to the car and fleeing westbound on King Street West,” police said in an update Thursday afternoon.
“The vehicle was last seen continuing westbound in the area of King Street West and Queen Street North.”
Det. Sgt. Daryl Reid would not say whether the victim and shooter knew each other, but did say it was clear that the shooter was waiting for Circiumaru.
“At the time that this individual came walking down the sidewalk, the vehicle was already there waiting.”
While Reid confirmed there was only one shooter, he said it’s too early to say if others are involved.
“We cannot confirm at this point whether there were other people in the vehicle at the time.”
In response to reporters’ questions Thursday afternoon, Reid added that the victim was “in the area for a pre-scheduled appointment – the details of that I’m not going to disclose at this time – but he had not entered 119 King St.,” a building that houses many government offices like Service Ontario and the Ontario Disability Support Program.
The suspect vehicle is believed to be a newer model black or dark grey Honda Civic with a spoiler on the trunk, police said. The driver is described only as a male in a face mask dressed all in black.
Police add that they are reviewing CCTV footage in the area and going through witness statements.
With files from Global News’ Gabby Rodrigues.