Hamilton police say two people were shot and killed in Stoney Creek Saturday night in what investigators are describing as a “landlord-tenant dispute.”
In a press release, issued just before 1 a.m. Sunday, police said at around 5:40 p.m., officers were called to 322 Jones Rd. in Stoney Creek, where they found a 27-year-old woman and 28-year-old man dead.
Both of the victims were tenants of the home, according to police.
Police said the 57-year-old landlord then barricaded himself inside the home with guns that were registered to him, sparking a flood of first responders to the quiet Stoney Creek area.
The area around the home was cordoned off by officers as police communicated with the man in an “attempt to peacefully resolve the incident.”
Officers could be seen crouching behind vehicles, firearms drawn at the large scene spanning Jones Road in the east and Kenmore Avenue in the west between Barton Street and Arvin Avenue late Saturday afternoon.
First responders had also set up a large staging area at the Stoney Creek Municipal Centre, located at Highway 8 and Jones Road. A handful of ambulances and police vehicles were parked there, with a single cruiser blocking off Jones.
However, during the negotiations, police said the man shot at the force’s armoured vehicle just before 10 :30 p.m.
“The suspect later fired additional rounds, which resulted in an interaction with police,” read the release.
The hours-long standoff came to end sometime before midnight, with police notifying residents that there was “no longer a threat to public safety.” Residents of the area had been told to stay inside their homes and later shelter in their basements amid the negotiations.
The Special Investigations Unit has been notified and has invoked their mandate, according to police.
The Spectator has reached out to the SIU for more information and is awaiting a response. The SIU investigates incidents involving police in Ontario where someone dies, is seriously hurt or there is an allegation of sexual assault.
Police said the families of both of the victims have been notified, however the names of the victims will not be named “at this time.”
Just before 8:30 p.m., a man in a black pickup truck sped toward the scene, stopping just before the police tape. He ran toward the police tape, visibly emotional, alleging a man had shot his family members. Officers held the man back; he left in his truck not long afterwards.
Another couple, standing beside a grey pickup truck parked at a nearby business, were seen speaking to a detective as they consoled one another.
A number of witnesses have been interviewed by police and “have been co-operative,” according to investigators.
Neighbours gathered in the parking lot of a local business near the residential street where the incident was taking place, with some unable to get home due to their residence being within the police tape line. Several motorists, who claimed to be residents of the area, were also turned away by police.
Resident Mark Sertic told The Spectator that the neighbourhood is typically “very quiet,” with the area only seeing activity during the annual Winona Peach Festival. Any police activity in the area typically relates to collisions, he added.
Hamilton police are expected to hold a news conference near the scene on Sunday morning.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Robert Di Ianni at 905-546-3836.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit tips online to crimestoppershamilton.com.
More to come.
Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. [email protected]
