Hamilton police seek suspects in ‘series’ of shootings

A 25-year-old Hamilton man who was shot after letting a 6-year-old child play with his gun will face charges, police said.

This is just one incident in a record year for shootings in the city, according to Hamilton police.

Investigators with the police shooting response team announced Monday the arrests of five people allegedly linked to the “wave” of gun violence and released images of several other wanted suspects.

Akhu Page has been identified as a suspect in the case of the six-year-old child, police said, adding that he suffered a non-life-threatening injury after being shot with the weapon. It is unclear exactly when and where the incident occurred, as is the relationship between Page and the child.

Another suspect, identified by police only as an 18-year-old, was arrested following an Aug. 10 shooting at Sanford Avenue North and King Street East in which a person was used as a “human shield.” That person was not injured and police said at the time when they released video of the incident that they wanted to speak to him as a witness.

A 15-year-old suspect is also charged in connection with a daylight shooting across from Lime Ridge Mall on Sept. 1. Police also released a video of this incident, which shows someone walking behind another person before shots are heard. According to police, no one was hit or injured.

There have been 54 shootings in Hamilton so far this year, which police say is a record. Investigators traced the shootings in an image released Monday that shows most of the shootings occurred in the lower part of town on Main Street.

Hamilton police have released a map showing where shootings have occurred in the city since the start of the year. (Hamilton Police)

“We cannot be complacent given the gun violence in our city,” Supt. Martyschulenberg said in a news release. “We need people to speak up if they see something suspicious in their neighborhood.”

In announcing the arrests, police also identified two suspects and released the images of several other people wanted in connection with the shooting.

They include Hamilton native Kevin Johnson, 44, who is wanted in connection with a shooting in a Market Street alley in June, and Gary Patrick Cunningham, 22, of Beeton, Ont., who is wanted in connection with a shooting outside Peddles Bar is sought.

Shown in these images are Gary Patrick Cunningham, 22, of Beeton, Ontario, (left) and Kevin Johnson, 44, of Hamilton, (right). (Hamilton Police)

“It is up to all of us to ensure Hamilton remains a safe place to live, work and raise our families. We urge anyone with information to come forward – every voice is important to prevent further violence and bring those responsible to justice,” addedschulenberg.

Hamilton police’s shooting response team began as a year-long pilot project aimed at investigating non-fatal shootings across the city, but was permanently shut down in March due to an “increase in shootings.” So far, they have arrested 30 suspects and filed 196 charges while investigating these incidents.

CTV News Toronto has reached out to Hamilton police for more information.