North End gunshots? Still no evidence, no witnesses, no victims

Police have yet to find a weapon, evidence of shots fired, witnesses who saw a gun or victims in reports of gunshots fired on Friday evening.

But there is at least one "witness" they don't believe and who they think knows more than he is saying.

Police were called to the area of MacNab Street North between Picton and Ferrie streets Friday around 5:40 p.m., responding to reports of gun shots being heard and men running.

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It was same area where police were called two weeks ago for a triple shooting, in which none of the victims have been cooperative with the police investigation. 

Police said Monday the details were also thin on what happened Friday:

• "No physical evidence to confirm a shooting of any kind had taken place at the scene."
• "No witnesses could provide testimony that they observed anyone pointing or using a firearm."
• "No victims presented themselves to police nor were any located after a search and canvass of the area." 

A witness did tell police that a white man had been seen yelling at a group of black men. "Two or three loud bangs were heard and the black men were seen running away east towards Simcoe Street," police said. 

A different witness said he or she had seen a group of men push another man off his bike, police say, getting into a fight. The man knocked off the bike ran away, chased by another man. The witness didn't say anything about "loud bangs or 'gun shots'."  

A third person told first responders he heard the loud bangs and ran away from the area. He did not agree to file a formal statement with investigators, and told detectives he doesn't want to involve himself any more, police said. 

"It is suspected that the man is not being truthful to police about his involvement as a witness and may know more," police said in a statement.

Police hope more witnesses will provide information in their ongoing investigation. 

'It's a sweet family neighbourhood'

Neighbour Laura Smullet said that she doesn't live in fear despite the recent rash of shootings.

"If there was something going on, then now it has been found out," Smullet said Saturday. 

This latest shooting is the latest in a series of violent incidents in the lower city this year. 

A brazen daytime shooting in central Hamilton in May was so alarming that it inspired Mayor Fred Eisenberger to ask for a gun ban. There is a dash-camera video of the alleged shooters — but police still have no suspects. Hours later, someone was shot at King and Ashley streets.

Smullet said the recent downtown gun violence is not normal for the North End.

"It's a sweet family neighbourhood. Everyone here helps each other. We're proud to live here and we haven't had any problems," Smullet said. "I've been here for 13 years, my neighbour, she's been here for 22 years, and she's never seen anything like that."