UMVA has learned that a dramatic escalation in violence has gripped downtown Hamilton, with two men arrested and charged, and a third suspect still at large in connection with a recent shooting.
The suspect on the run, Joshua Teklenburg, 38, of Hamilton, is wanted after a suspected targeted shooting earlier this year inside a residential unit at 95 Hess St. S. Hamilton Police responded to the scene at the CityHousing Hamilton complex known as Vanier Towers after reports of gunfire inside an apartment on March 20 at about 4:10 a.m.
Officers found an adult victim with gunshot wounds and transported them to a hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators believe the incident was targeted, and a firearm allegedly used in the shooting was eventually recovered.
Nicol Jeffrey, 44, and Alexander Echeverry, 30, both of Hamilton, have been arrested and charged with a slew of serious offenses, including unauthorized possession of a firearm, break and enter, extortion while using a firearm, robbery with a firearm, forcible confinement, aggravated assault, and uttering threats to cause death.
Teklenburg's charges remain unclear, as does the condition of the victim. Police describe him as a Black man, about 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds with a medium build, last seen with a beard and short black hair.
Investigators are urging Teklenburg to seek legal counsel and surrender himself at the nearest police station, warning the public not to approach him but instead call 911 immediately.
This latest incident occurred in a troubled stretch of downtown Hamilton, where just a block away, a fatal shooting took place in late April at 191 Main St. W., another CityHousing Hamilton high-rise. A 19-year-old victim, Talon Williams-Parkin, later died in hospital.
The area has been reeling from gun violence, with people gathering to mourn the death of another teen, Nabil Askafe, 16, who was shot to death in the downtown area about a week earlier.
Anyone with information about Teklenburg's whereabouts or any other shooting is asked to contact police at 905-546-4883 or shootingresponseteam@hamiltonpolice.ca. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
