No arrests in summer shootings as community gun violence meeting looms

Three weeks after an 18-year-old man was shot dead in Hamilton's North End, police have not yet made any arrests that would calm the fears of a worried community.

And in a summer marred by high profile gun violence, that has been a common theme. There have been multiple shootings in city streets — some even in broad daylight — yet police haven't announced arrests in connection with any of them.

But on the day of a planned community meeting to address that violence, Hamilton detectives say more witnesses are coming forward and speaking out in the hopes of catching those responsible for the latest of them — Shariek Douse's killing.

"We've had some additional witnesses come forward, and that has greatly assisted us," said Det. Sgt. Joe Stewart. "People were reluctant, but understandably so."

"I have to applaud them for finding the courage to come forward."

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Still, Stewart told CBC News that no arrests are imminent in connection with Douse's death. Couple that with a host of public gunfire incidents throughout the summer, and community members are understandably rattled.

In total, there have been 11 shooting incidents in Hamilton this year, and the extremely public nature of some of them this spring and summer has many people talking. They include:

• May 13: Shots fired openly on the street on Delawana Drive. No one was injured. No arrests.
• May 17: Daylight exchange of gunfire on Main Street near East Avenue. No one was reported injured. No arrests.
• June 15: Three people shot in the North End on MacNab Street survive. No arrests.
• June 25: Gunfire reported in the same area as the June 15 shooting. No suspects found. No arrests.
• August 12: Shariek Douse is shot and killed in the North End.

"There has been [multiple] shootings within a year and nothing has been done to prevent each one that's happening," Douse's cousin Jakayla told CBC News not long after he was killed.

"Why should a child live here and have to feel unsafe in the home area? It's the summertime – people should be able to go outside without being scared."

Links to youth gangs questioned

Hamilton police have said the shooting was "targeted," but say they have no evidence to link it to gang activity.

Still, some of Douse's friends say the incident was connected to gang violence, mentioning names like BNA and LOM, groups that were talked about last year when 14-year-old Jesse Clarke was killed. Douse was also shot last year in the same part of town. No one was charged in connection with that incident.

One of his family members told CBC News that he was not part of any gang. Later, she asked her name be pulled from any previously published news stories over fear for her family's safety.

Stewart said he could not comment on any specific threats to Douse's family, but said officers are "continuously talking with his family" to assist them.

Police are probing connections between Douse's death and the other public gunfire incidents this summer, but haven't made any firm connections.

'We're working hard'

At this point there is no evidence to connect them, Stewart said, but investigators are waiting on ballistics reports compiled from evidence at those locations.

Multiple police divisions and units like homicide and guns and gangs are meeting regularly to see if their investigations overlap, Stewart said.

"We're working hard. We're using all the resources necessary."

Representatives from Hamilton police will be among those taking questions at a community meeting Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Bennetto Recreation Centre auditorium at 450 Hughson St. N.

adam.carter@cbc.ca