Police say two recent daytime homicides in the Hamilton-area – one in early-August and the other in mid-September – have connections.
During an update on Friday, investigators revealed suspects arrested in the targeted shooting deaths of 17-year-old Keden Bond and 19-year-old Sabir Hassen Omer were all known to each other.
“They all appear to have known each other in some fashion,” Det. Sgt. Jim Callender said in a briefing at the Hamilton Police Service’s (HPS) central station.
“The dispute between them is part of the investigation that’s ongoing.”
The detective said execution of search warrants on Thursday by HPS, Halton and Niagara police produced links to the two murders with four men having direct involvement in the deaths.
Trayonte Eccleston, 19, from Halton Region is facing three first degree murder charges and attempted murder charges in the shooting of both Bond and Omer, while a 17-year-old from Halton faces first degree murder and an attempted murder charge in the killing of Omer.
Both also face a number of firearm and drug possession-related offenses.
Two Hamilton men, 19-year-old Jonas Campanaro and 18-year-old Anthony La , are each also facing first degree murder and attempted murder offences in connection with Omer’s death.
A 17-year-old male from Hamilton and 19-year-old Selena Silva from Halton Region were also arrested during the execution of the search warrants for firearm and drug possession-related offenses.
In all, Callender said there were 93 charges issued and that additional charges are expected in relation to the investigations. He did not reveal if homicide were seeking further suspects.
No details were released on the nature of the dispute between all involved, as Callender said that information was still being withheld as part of the ongoing probe.
Detectives say 19-year-old Sabir Hassen Omer was gunned down near the Tim Hortons at King and Caroline streets.
Omer and another man were approached by a suspect around 3 p.m. on Sept. 14 with a short verbal exchange occurring before shots were fired. Omer’s death is the city’s 13th homicide of 2021.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Keden Bond was shot and killed on the evening of Aug. 6 in the parking lot of the Heritage Hill Shopping Centre at Mud Street and Paramount Drive in Stoney Creek.
Emergency crews were called to the Heritage Hill Shopping Centre at the northeast corner of Paramount Drive and Mud Street West just before 8 p.m. on Friday for reports of a shooting.
Police said two suspects approached three people who were in the parking lot and began firing at them.
Police say Bond was critically injured and was rushed to hospital, where he later died. A 35-year-old man sustained life-altering injuries.
A 25-year-old man was treated and released for minor injuries, investigators said.
Bond’s death is the city’s 11th homicide of 2021.
–with files from Jessica Patton