Hamilton police name victim in fatal downtown shooting

Police have identified the victim in a fatal overnight shooting in downtown Hamilton.

Tyler Johnson, 30, was shot in front of a restaurant on King Street West at Caroline early on Saturday morning.

"Shortly after 3 a.m.,"Det. Paul Hamilton said in a news release,"an altercation occurred between two groups of men outside a restaurant located at 217 King St. W."

The conflict, he said, "quickly escalatedwhen one man produced a handgun and shot the victim."

Emergency crews found Johnson without vital signs lying in the Tim Hortons parking lot next to the restaurant where the shooting occurred, said James Summers, a spokesman forthe Hamilton Paramedic Service.

Paramedics transported Johnsonto Hamilton General Hospitalwhere he was pronounced dead.

Thehomicide is Hamilton's13thof year the highest annual number in more than a decade.

TheHamilton polices homicide unit is investigating the fatal shooting. Anyone with information on Johnson's death is asked to to callDet. Jason Cattle at905-546-4123 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

'I don't feel safe,' store owner says

The same parking lot was also the site ofadeadlystabbing earlier this year. On Sept. 15, a 18-year-old man died after being stabbed in the parking lot of the TimHortonson King Street nearCaroline, situated just east of Hess Village.

A 49-year-old Hamilton man has been charged with first-degree murder in the September killing.

The twoslayings raisemajor safetyconcerns for people who live and work in the area, saidSamirSeif, owner of Big Bee, a convenience store located on the southwest corner of King West and Caroline.

I dont feel safe, he told CBC Hamilton on Saturday morning.Its been less than three months since the [Sept. 15 stabbing] happened.

Seifcallsfor a stronger police presence in the central Hamiltonneighbourhood.

We need more securitybecause there are lots of bars in this area, he said.

Theres a lot of problems. I think its bad sign.