16-year-old boy killed in Hamilton mall shooting, 2 armed suspects sought

A 16-year-old boy is dead, and two armed suspects are wanted following a shooting inside a downtown Hamilton mall mobile store on Friday afternoon.

Emergency services rushed to Jackson Square around 5:10 p.m. for reports of shots fired inside the mall, said Hamilton police Supt. Marty Schulenberg.

“Our officers arrived and found a 16-year-old male who had sustained gunshot wounds. This young male was transported to hospital where he was subsequently pronounced deceased,” Schulenberg told reporters during an evening news conference.

The victim has not been identified.

“This is a brazen shooting that occurred inside a mall. We’re obviously very concerned about this,” Schulenberg said, noting that it was busy in and around Jackson Square at the time.

He revealed that there was an altercation between the victim and two suspects inside a mobile store prior to the shooting.

“So, at this point, we believe that that is a targeted incident in relation to this altercation,” Schulenberg said.

He added that the two suspects left on foot through the doors of 110 King Street West and were last seen heading east.

“They are both male, white, 19 to 20 years of age, one wearing a grey tracksuit and one wearing a blue tracksuit,” the superintendent said.

“We’ve continued to search the area to determine whether or not those suspects have left the area. At this point in time, the officers are still engaged in those searches.”

Schulenberg said the suspects are believed to be carrying firearms, one of which he described as a “long arm.”

The mall was evacuated as a result of the shooting, and he said it occurred “in an orderly fashion.”

“That doesn’t necessarily negate the fact that this is a very traumatic incident for people to witness and to hear,” Schulenberg said.

Police are asking the public to stay out of the area while the investigation is ongoing. Police said road closures are in effect between King Street, James Street and MacNab Street.

‘Senseless shooting’: Hamilton mayor

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath called Friday’s shooting “a horrifying act of violence” and said that it must end.

“It’s devastating to learn of the death of a 16-year-old in today’s senseless shooting at Jackson Square. A young life taken far too soon,” the mayor said in a post on social media. “Guns have no place on our streets. Period.”

“We need urgent, stronger action to get illegal firearms out of our communities,” Horwath added.

Hamilton Centre MP Aslam Rana said the shooting was “completely unacceptable.”

“My thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy,” Rana said in a post on social media. “I’m grateful to Hamilton Police for their swift response and ongoing efforts to keep our community safe. Please follow their guidance, avoid the area, and report any information immediately.”

Police are asking anyone with information, including video that may have captured the incident, to contact the lead investigator at 905-546-3865 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.