Man killed in shooting outside Hamilton nightclub worked at the club

A man shot and killed outside a King William Street bar was an employee at the club.

Police have confirmed that the victim is Vincenzo Lofaro, 46, who worked in security there. A woman was also rushed to hospital after the early morning shooting.

Shots were fired outside Club Seventy-Seven at 3:15 a.m. Friday. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

There are no suspects, says Acting Det. Sgt. Dave Oleniuk. Investigators are also looking at a vehicle that fled the scene, but he wouldn't elaborate.

The nightclub was closed at the time, but had been open that night and hosted a performance by the rapper N.O.R.E. Police officers were on scene the whole night for the special event, Oleniuk says. The shooting happened about 15 minutes after they left.

Throughout the night, officers dealt with a couple of intoxicated patrons, but that's it, he said.

"There were no big disturbances."

Police are still looking at why the man was targeted. The woman with him, who has non-life threatening injuries, knew the victim and "didn't appear to be the target," Oleniuk said.

"We're not really concerned with public safety," he said. "It would appear they were after him."

King William Street was closed from John to Mary Streets for much of the day Friday. Police also taped off a large municipal parking lot behind the club. Forensics investigators were working the scene.

Lyndon George lives in the International Village nearby and the sound of the gunfire roused him from sleep Friday morning.

He wasn't sure at the time what he'd heard, he said, but he went to his open window to look. 

"A few minutes later, I heard sirens and I thought, 'Oh my gosh,'" he said.

"The International Village is a great neighbourhood. I love it. But it's unfortunately what I heard."

Police are using surveillance footage from Filmwork Lofts across the street for the investigation. As for the residents there, it's not the first time they've had issues with the club. 

Residents have heard shouting, screaming and fighting out there before, says Dale Mugford, chair of the board at the lofts. There's also garbage, late-night noise and loud patrons standing in the building's lobby to wait for cabs.

Mugford says beyond this incident, most Filmwork Lofts residents don't want the club there. The board hopes to meet with Jason Farr, Ward 2 councillor, to talk to him about it.

"There are ongoing issues," he said.

The shooting took place a short distance from Hamilton's police headquarters on King William Street.

The club is at 77 King William St. Hamilton Police Services is located at 155 King William St.