Police say two suspects were seen fleeing Jackson Square and believed to be carrying firearms<\/p>\n
Published Apr 24, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 3\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n A 16-year-old boy is dead following what police believe was a targeted shooting inside a downtown Hamilton mall on Friday.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Hamilton Police say in a series of social media updates that officers were investigating a shooting at Jackson Square<\/a> in the late afternoon.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Initially, police said a male was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, but they later said the victim had died of his injuries<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cOur thoughts go out to the victim and his family at this point,\u201d Supt. Martin Schulenberg told reporters at the scene Friday night.<\/p>\n \u2018Brazen shooting\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a brazen shooting that occurred inside a mall. We\u2019re obviously very concerned about this.\u201d<\/p>\n Schulenberg said the homicide unit has taken over the investigation.<\/p>\n According to police, multiple shots were fired inside a cellphone store shortly after 5 p.m. while the mall was busy.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was an altercation that occurred just prior to the shooting, and so that at this point we believe that that is a targeted incident in relation to this altercation,\u201d Schulenberg said.<\/p>\n Two suspects were seen leaving the area<\/a> heading east toward James St., cops said. The suspects are described as white males and approximately 19 to 20 years old. One was wearing a grey tracksuit, the other was wearing a blue tracksuit.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED VIDEO We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play Video<\/p>\n Police believe both suspects were carrying firearms, one of which was a long gun, and ask the public to not approach them but call 911 immediately if they are seen.<\/p>\n Schulenberg said the mall\u2019s security helped officers manage the scene despite the traumatic event that had just taken place.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are shots inside an active mall,\u201d he said. \u201cSo there\u2019s going to be a high level of concern for shoppers and pedestrians and people using the area. We had officers here in very short order.\u201d<\/p>\n He expects the area to be closed to the public for several hours while forensic investigators collect evidence in and around the mall.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll be looking at all aspects of where the suspects came into the mall, where they exited, and anywhere in between,\u201d Schulenberg said.<\/p>\n Mayor calls death \u2018devastating\u2019<\/p>\n Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said it was \u201cdevastating\u201d to learn of the boy\u2019s death in the \u201csenseless\u201d shooting.<\/p>\n \u201cA young life taken far too soon,\u201d she wrote on social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cGuns have no place on our streets. Period. This was a horrifying act of violence, and it must end.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n It\u2019s devastating to learn of the death of a 16-year-old in today\u2019s senseless shooting at Jackson Square. A young life taken far too soon. <\/p>\n Guns have no place on our streets. Period. This was a horrifying act of violence, and it must end.<\/p>\n We need urgent, stronger action to get\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Horwath said she is receiving updates from Police Chief Frank Bergen.<\/p>\n \u201cTo the many community members that were asked to shelter in place, while police searched for the suspects, I know It must have been a terrifying experience, and I am thinking of everyone impacted,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Cops closed roads between King St., James St., and MacNab St. as the investigation continued.<\/p>\n Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Robert Di Ianni of the Homicide Unit at (905) 546-3865, or Hamilton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Cops fear foul play possible in disappearance of Toronto mom Irma Galastica, 34<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777092135_358_Hamilton.jpg\")
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