Hamilton police say two people who were killed and two others who were injured in a shooting at a bar in the city early Sunday had just attended a memorial celebration for a murder victim.
Police said they received reports of the shooting shortly after 5 a.m.
Officers initially said they were called to Sam’s Tavern on Barton Street, but in an update Sunday afternoon said the shooting occurred in the basement of Urban Lounge, attached to Sam’s Tavern.
Police said the victims were previously at Zen Lounge attending a memorial celebration for Carel Douse, who was murdered in Hamilton in May 2019.
When police responded to the shooting on Sunday, they located four victims, all of whom were transported to hospital.
Police said a 39-year-old man and and 25-year-old woman were later pronounced dead. A 38-year-old man and a 29-year-old man remained in stable condition as of Sunday afternoon. Their identities have not been released.
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A male suspect entered the bar and fired multiple gunshots, striking the four victims, police said.
“I don’t know why it was open at 5 a.m. I don’t know why it was serving alcohol at that time,” Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk told reporters.
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Bereziuk said just two witnesses came forward to talk to investigators and they are looking to speak to anyone else who was there.
“There were dozens among dozens of people in this lounge last night,” he said.
Bereziuk said the motive of the shooting is unclear and he would not say if it was targeted.
Officers said they’re looking for a male suspect with a thin build, possibly in his early 30s who is believed to have short braids. Police described him as five-feet, 10-inches tall and said he was wearing dark jeans or pants and a track suit-style zip-up jacket at the time of the shooting.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact police at 905-546-3825 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
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