Hamilton father of two killed in Waterdown home, police say

A 55-year-old man is the city's third homicide victim this year, Hamilton police said Friday.

Dirk Nyhuis, often called Jeff by friends and family, died of a gunshot in his Waterdown home this past week, Det. Sgt. David Brewster said in a news conference. 

On Thursday, a concerned friend went to check on Nyhuis after not hearing from him for a while, police said. The friend called police and first responders found Nyhuis dead in his home near Dundas Street E. and Spring Creek Drive. 

Brewster did not say when investigators think Nyhuis died, only that they knew he was alive earlier in the week. 

Police seeking witnesses, people who knew the victim

Brewster said that the police would be in the area canvassing for witnesses and surveillance video for a couple of days.

"The investigation is very much in its early stages," he said. "The motive, at this time, remains unknown and we believe Mr. Nyhuis was the intended target of the shooting."

He said it was "too early" to say if there was a robbery and would not say if there were signs of a break-in.

Nyhuis, a previously married father of two adult children, lived alone, Brewster said. He added Nyhuis had past roommates who police would like to speak to.

Brewster said Nyhuis had a dog, who was OK. 

Facebook and LinkedIn profiles matching Nyhuis' description indicate he had worked as a truck driver and had an interest in motorcycles.