Gunfire erupts in Hamilton 9 times in a month

With gunfire ringing out in the streets of Hamilton at least nine times in the last month alone, concern is creeping in for police as they investigate escalating violence in Hamilton's streets.

"We are concerned that these things are happening in our residential neighbourhoods," said Const. Steve Welton.

"This does have an effect on our citizens with this happening in the daytime, and we recognize that."

The most recent, Tuesday morning's shooting incident, left a 46-year-old man with life-threatening injuries. Welton says he remains in hospital in stable condition. A 52-year-old woman was also assaulted, while two teens in the house at the time were also hurt.

Police say it was a home invasion that escalated when five people burst into through the back door of a home at 21 Holly Ave. and demanded the contents of a safe.

An 18-year-old and a 15-year-old are now facing charges including aggravated assault, breaking and entering, and unauthorized possession of a firearm. Police are still searching for three other suspects.

But that's only one of many recent incidents, spread out geographically across the city. Here are the others:

• In a shootout between two cars in Ancaster on April 16, "a quantity of shots were fired" and no one was hurt.
• Shots were fired at a home on Green Mountain Road on April 17, and again just days later.
• Notorious mobster Angelo Musitano was gunned down in his Waterdown Driveway on May 2.
• Someone fired bullets into a home in the area of Macaulay Street East and Mary Street on May 3. Another shooting incident was reported at the same home on April 17.
• A man in his 20s went to hospital after he was shot in a home invasion on Weir Street North on May 6.
• "At least one" suspect shot at a victim "a number of times," in Stinson on May 8.

Other than the charges laid in connection with yesterday's shooting, police have not announced any arrests in connection with these incidents.

Welton says police are investigating the frequency, location, "intelligence info" and physical evidence from all of these shootings to determine if there are any links between them.

"At this time, I don't have any information that these incidents are linked, but that may change," he said.

Two of them have clearer context than the rest — it's speculated that the Musitano shooting is linked to old mob connections, and the shootings on Green Mountain Road are connected to a marijuana grow op.

Welton also said that there is no immediate evidence that the shootings are linked to any sort of gang violence.

"There's no clear cut evidence that anyone involved is taking it upon themselves to associate with any [gangs] out there," Welton said, noting that gang and youth gang affiliations can shift rapidly.

"However, we're certainly aware of these types of affiliations and groups."

'My heart is pounding'

The shootings are causing concern in the neighbourhoods.

Lori Thompson, who lives on Holly Ave., told CBC the street was in shock at the violence on what had been a quiet street.

"My heart is pounding," she said.

In Ancaster, the gunfire interrupted Easter dinner. 

Greg Kesminas, 40, who has lived in the area for five years, was barbecuing in the backyard.

"My parents came over, my kids were there. We heard a boom-boom, then a gap, then four more shots," he said. There were different gaps between them."

Kesminas said he wasn't worried, but said that at least one of his neighbours who witnessed the gunfight was very unsettled by the incident.

In the Green Mountain Road area, neighbours also expressed concern. In one of the drive-by shootings there, a stray bullet hit a neighbour's house. 

"We all feel powerless," one resident told CBC. "It's happening a little too frequently."