Teen dead after shooting in Central Hamilton: police

A 17-year-old girl is dead after a shooting in Hamilton, Ont. on Wednesday morning, according to police.

Investigators say officers were called out to an incident at a residence in the area of St. Matthews Avenue near Barton Street.

Upon arrival, police encountered the teen with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Hamilton General hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

Detectives say they are looking for two men of interest who were seen by witnesses fleeing the residence down a nearby alleyway.

“It’s a very vague description. Two white males in their early twenties,” said Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk, “There is no clothing description, one male is described as shorter brown hair or possibly a buzzcut. The other male has a little longer brown hair.”

Investigators believe there were five people in the home at the time of the shooting and say there’s no apparent motive at present.

Bereziuk said the teen was a student, attending a catholic school in Hamilton and lived in the city with her mother.

“I can tell you that the family is extremely distraught. They’re hysterical, you can imagine, getting this information” Bereziuk added.

Detectives say the home the girl was shot at was not her residence and could not reveal any information about the girl’s connection to the people in the home.

“She did know one of the occupants of the residence and was there,” Bereziuk said, “Again, what transpired in the house and how she came to be shot? We don’t know.”

Officers will be in the area for some time going door to door on Wednesday looking for witnesses and surveillance footage.

Bereziuk also said police were awaiting a judicial authorization to enter and search the house. Investigators say they have not recovered the firearm involved.

Anyone with information can reach out to Hamilton police at 905-546-2288 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leave an anonymous tip online.

1:24 SIU investigating police-involved shooting in Hamilton