44-year-old Hamilton man dead after targeted shooting in city's 6th homicide of the year

A 44-year-old Hamilton man is dead after what police are investigating as a targeted shooting on Saturday night.

Det.-Sgt. Steve Bereziuk told media on Sunday morning that officers responded to reports of a male shooting victim at the Residences on 14th apartment, near Fennel Avenue East and Upper Wellington Street.

Bereziuk said the man, who lived in the apartment, parked his vehicle and was walking toward the building when he was shot at about 10:50 p.m.

"Police were on scene within approximately four minutes and were able to immediately provide CPR to the male victim," he explained.

"Paramedics were on scene a short time after that and they took charge, they were able to transport the victim down to the Hamilton General Hospital. Unfortunately, due to his injuries, he was pronounced deceased at approximately 11:30 p.m."

Officers have notified the man's family, who are "distraught and upset" and in need of more time to notify other family members, prompting police to delay releasing the identity of the victim.

Bereziuk said there's no suspect description and there could be more than one. But he also explained the shooter and the victim may have known each other.

"We don't know the relationship yet, so before we get into playing the game of who, we have to analyze our statements because we don't have names. We don't know who has done this and why," he said.

Neighbour heard 'pop, pop, pop'

Debbie Blinn said she lives on the same floor as the victim. She was in her apartment when her neighbour was killed.

"I heard a pop, pop, pop and I knew right away it wasn't firecrackers, that was a gun," she told CBC News.

Bilnn said the man had a dog and "always had people coming in and out, it made me uncomfortable."

Bereziuk noted the victim was known to police "but it's not anything that I would consider really concerning."

Mark Smith, another resident, said he doesn't know the victim but said he faintly remembers hearing popping noises late at night while watching TV.

He didn't think anything of it. Now, he's trying to process living next to a homicide scene.

"The scene is almost behind my car," he said.

"Just to have that happen so close to home, it doesn't happen around this area ... it's kind of overwhelming."

Detectives will be canvassing the area and are looking for any video surveillance recorded between 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Saturday.

This is the city's sixth homicide of the year.