19-year-old ‘Good Samaritan’ killed in Hamilton’s 9th homicide of 2017

Police are investigating the city’s ninth homicide of the year after a 19-year-old man was shot and killed in central Hamilton.

Shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday, police said the victim and his friend witnessed two men harassing an older man in the area of Main St E and Sanford Ave S.

The victim tried to intervene, but police said that started a new confrontation between him and the two suspects who assaulted the other man.

The victim, identified as Yosif Al-Hasnawi, was shot with what police said they believe is a handgun.

He was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.

Al-Hosnawi was a Brock University student and an aspiring doctor. Police said he left his local mosque at around 9 p.m.

Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk said Al-Hasnawi was a “very brave young man” and what happened is a “tragedy.”

Hamilton police said they are looking to speak with the man who was initially being harassed by the two men.

Police said businesses in the area have been “extremely helpful” with providing surveillance video between 8:30 and 11 p.m. on Saturday to investigators.

Investigators have also released descriptions of the two suspects.

One suspect is a man, believed to be in his 20s, with a medium to darker complexion with black hair and a medium build. His hair was long with a ponytail wrapped up at the top of his head. He was wearing a hood and jeans and was carrying a backpack.

Police said the second suspect, a man also believed to be in his 20s, is shorter and heavier than the other suspect. He has a light complexion, a bald/shaved head and was wearing a hood and jeans.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact Det. Doug Jonovich at 905-546-4863 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.