A 16-year-old boy has died after a shooting inside Jackson Square in downtown Hamilton, turning a busy Friday evening at one of the city’s best-known malls into a major police investigation and community tragedy.
Hamilton police said emergency crews were called to the shopping centre shortly after 5:10 p.m. on Friday, April 24, following reports of gunfire inside the mall. Officers arrived and found the teenage victim suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The victim’s name has not been released. Police said the investigation remains active, and officers are now searching for two suspects believed to have fled the mall after the shooting.
Police believe shooting followed an altercation
According to Hamilton police, the shooting happened inside a mobile phone store at Jackson Square. Investigators believe an altercation took place between the 16-year-old victim and two suspects before shots were fired.
Police have described the incident as targeted, meaning investigators do not currently believe the victim was struck at random. However, the shooting happened inside a public mall during a busy time of day, raising serious concerns for shoppers, workers, and people passing through the downtown core.
The two suspects were last seen leaving through the doors at 110 King Street West before heading east on foot. Police described both suspects as white males, around 19 to 20 years old. One was wearing a grey tracksuit, while the other was wearing a blue tracksuit.
Authorities said the suspects are believed to be armed. One firearm was described by police as a “long arm,” making the search especially urgent. Members of the public have been told not to approach anyone matching the descriptions and to call 911 immediately if they see anything suspicious.
Jackson Square was evacuated after the shooting. Police said the evacuation was carried out in an orderly way, but officials acknowledged that the incident would have been frightening for people inside the mall at the time. A shooting in an enclosed public space can leave lasting trauma for witnesses, even when they are not physically injured.
Road closures were also put in place around parts of King Street, James Street, and MacNab Street as officers secured the scene and continued their investigation. Police remained in the area for several hours, with an incident command vehicle seen outside the mall.
Hamilton leaders condemn fatal mall shooting
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath called the shooting a horrifying and senseless act of violence, saying the death of a 16-year-old marked the loss of a young life far too soon. She also called for stronger action to remove illegal firearms from communities.
Hamilton Centre MP Aslam Rana also reacted to the incident, describing the shooting as unacceptable and urging residents to follow police instructions while investigators search for answers.
The location of the shooting has added to the shock. Jackson Square is not a remote area or an isolated property. It sits in the middle of Hamilton’s downtown core and is used daily by shoppers, workers, students, transit riders, and families. For many residents, the idea that gunfire erupted inside the mall during the early evening has made the incident feel especially alarming.
Police are now asking anyone with information to come forward. Investigators are particularly interested in video from people who were inside or near Jackson Square around the time of the shooting. Cellphone clips, dashcam footage, or surveillance video from nearby businesses could help police track the suspects’ movements before and after the attack.
Anyone with information can contact Hamilton police directly. Public safety updates are also available through the Hamilton Police Service.
The fatal shooting comes amid wider concern about gun violence in public places, especially when young people are involved. While police have said the incident appears targeted, the broader impact reaches far beyond the people directly connected to the confrontation. Shoppers were forced to evacuate, nearby streets were shut down, and residents were warned to avoid part of the downtown area while armed suspects remained outstanding.
As of the latest police update, the two suspects had not been publicly identified. Investigators are continuing to review evidence, speak with witnesses, and search for video that may show what happened inside the mall or where the suspects went after leaving the building.
The death of a 16-year-old in such a public setting has left Hamilton facing difficult questions about youth violence, illegal firearms, and safety in shared community spaces. For now, police say the priority is finding the suspects and giving the victim’s family answers after a Friday evening shooting that has shaken the city.
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