VIDEO: ‘Surge’ of shootings leads to five arrests in Hamilton

In response to an ongoing “surge” in shootings in the city, Hamilton Police have arrested five suspects in connection to several separate attacks.

Since its inception as a permanent unit, the Hamilton Police Shooting Response Team has arrested 30 people on nearly 200 charges in connection to numerous non-fatal shootings in the city.

The unit began as a year-long pilot project but was made permanent afterward. ” The team’s mission is to tackle incidents of reckless gunfire that result in serious injuries or endanger individuals and properties, enhancing safety in our community,” police wrote.

However, shooting rates have only increased overall in recent years. So far, Hamilton has seen 54 shootings in 2024, a tragic new record. Of these 48 cases remain open and under investigation by Response Team.

“We cannot become complacent about gun violence in our city. We need people to speak up and speak out when they see something suspicious in their neighbourhoods,” saif Superintendent Martin Schulenberg who oversees the Investigative Services Division.

The first of the recent arrests is Akua Page, 25. Police report Page allowed a six-year-old child to play with a gun. The child fired the weapon accidentally and shot Page, who is now charged with:

• obstructing police
• public mischief with intent to frame another
• careless use of a gun
• possession of a loaded prohibited firearm
• possession of a gun against a court order

Next, an 18-year-old is charged inconnection to a “reckless” shooting on Aug. 10. In this incident, gunfire broke out by Sanford Avenue North and King Street East between two men. One of the pair grabbed a third man who he “used as a human shield during the exchange of gunfire,” police reported.

Since the suspect was younger than 18 at the time of the shootout, he cannot be named publically due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He’s charged with:

• unauthorized possession of a firearm
• discharging a firearm with intent
• assault with a weapon
• possession of a prohibited loaded firearm
• reckless discharge of a firearm
• failure to comply with release conditions
• breach of youth probation
• possession of a firearm contrary to a court order
• aggravated assault

A second suspect remains at large. Additionally, police want to interview the bystander used as a shield but have not identified him.

Thirdly, a 15-year-old boy was charged after gunfire erupted near Upper Wentworth Street and Kingfisher Drive, near the Lime Ridge Mall, on Sept. 1 The teen was arrested downtown a few days later. Like the previous suspect, he cannot be named. He remains in custody pending a bail hearing.

• unauthorized possession of a firearm
• possession of a prohibited loaded firearm
• discharging a firearm with intent
• assault with a weapon
• possession of a firearm contrary to a court order
• breach of youth probation

Following the discovery of many fentanyl-laced gummy candies, the teen was charged with another variety of offences possession of fentanyl for trafficking. The gummies prompted a public safety warning from police.

“These dangerous substances, disguised as candy, pose a serious risk to public health and safety, particularly for youth who may unknowingly consume them,” police said.

Most recently, shots rang out in a residential neighbourhood near Gage Avenue South and King Street East around 2 a.m. on Sept. 7. Officer quickly responded to the scene and confirmed the shooting. However, any victims or suspects had fled by the time the cops arrived.

Investigators later linked a taxi to the shooting which was used to deliver a victim to the scene. They later found the cab but not the victim. Later, police charged Domanick Dagenais, 24 of Hamilton, in the shooting. During his arrest police say they found fentanyl on Dagenais prompting additional charges

In total Dagenais is charged with the following:

• unauthorized possession of a firearm
• discharging a firearm with intent
• possession of a prohibited loaded firearm
• possession of a prohibited weapon
• reckless discharge
• possession of a firearm contrary to a court order
• possession of fentanyl for trafficking
• possession of proceeds of crime

Finally, Alexander La has been charged in connection to several incidents in the spring. He already faced charges regarding a shooting on May 13 and a break-in on May 30.

Recently he was also charged with a triple shooting on June 2. First responders found three people near Gage Avenue North and Cannon Street East shortly after midnight. They were all treated in hospital and survived their injuries.

Le is charged with:

• three counts of discharging a firearm with intent
• three counts of aggravated assault
• reckless discharge
• unauthorized possession of a firearm
• possession of a prohibited loaded firearm
• possession of a firearm contrary to a court order
• two counts of breach of probation

In addition to his earlier charges, La is accused of a total of nearly 30 offences. He has been in custody since June 16 when he was found in a Niagara Falls hotel. He had “significantly changed his appearance to evade capture,” police said.

Additionally, Kevin Johnson, 44 of Hamilton is a charged with a daytime shooting in a downtown alleyway. However, he has so far managed to evade police. He’s wanted on ten charges including:

• possession of a loaded prohibited firearm.
• knowledge of an unauthorized possession of a firearm
• unauthorized possession of a firearm
• assault with a weapon
• discharge a firearm with intent
• two counts of failure to comply with a release order
• possession of a firearm contrary to a court order

“It’s up to all of us to ensure Hamilton remains a safe place to live, work, and raise our families. We urge anyone with information to come forward—every voice matters in helping prevent further violence and bringing those responsible to justice,” says Schulenberg.

If you witness a shooting, please call 911 immediately, police concluded.