An “unprovoked” stabbing in a bar has become Hamilton’s 10th homicide of the year as crime problems continue to plague Ontario’s big city.
Around 1:45 a.m. Sunday, police said they were called to Peddles Tavern, located on Barton Street East near Kenilworth Avenue North, for reports of a stabbing.
When police arrived on scene, they found a 34-year-old man suffering from a stab wound. He was taken to hospital where he later died. A 28-year-old man was arrested at the scene.
The victim was identified as Shah Ghafoori. St. Catharines resident Pierce Herod has been charged with second-degree murder.
In a news release Sunday, police said investigators believe the two men did not know each other and that “the attack was unprovoked.”
Homicides reach double digits again
Sunday’s homicide was Hamilton’s 10thand for the fourth time in five years, homicides reached double digits.
It was 2022, when Hamilton had recorded only five homicides; last year the city recorded 11 murders and in 2021 Hamilton saw 20 murders; in 2020, 18 homicides were recorded.
Hamilton police are trying to crack down on crimerecently closing a tunnel system, drug shack and open-air drug market.
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In July, the Tax Court of Canada closed its downtown office to ensure the safety of visitors and staff, citing an increase in shootings near its location.
Greg Dunnett, president and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, previously told Global News that crime will hinder Hamilton’s ability to grow.
“This is an ongoing problem and I believe the lack of progress is starting to impact people’s decision-making. … The people who will choose to leave are those who can, and the companies who can,” he said in July.
“We have incredible opportunities in the pipeline for our downtown: we have the LRT, we have a new arena district, we are working on having a thriving part of our community, but we need to fix this to allow for those opportunities to reach their potential. »
Anyone with information about Sunday’s homicide is asked to contact police at 905-546-3827 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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