Victim in Hamilton shooting was ex-Hells Angels: police

A man killed in an east Hamilton shooting was once a member of the Hells Angels biker gangand had an "extensive and violent criminal record," police say.

James Louis Malone, 49, of Hamilton, died after he was shot on Kenilworth Avenue North near Hope Avenue at around 1:20 a.m. on Saturday.

Malone was known to police and was "previously a member of the HellsAngels," said Det. Peter Thom, the lead investigator on the case.

"Hehad an extensive and violent criminal record."

• Related: Biker gang probe in Niagara area results in 28 people charged

Thom said he was not able to confirm whether the victim was the same James Malone who once stood charged in a 2007 stabbing at a Hamilton strip club.

According to a 2008 report in the Hamilton Spectator, a judge declaredHellsAngels memberJames Malone, then 43, and another man not guilty of aggravated assault and weapons charges in anattack at Hamilton Strip, located on Barton Street East at Catharine Street North.

'Targeted' shooting

Thehomicide unit was on the scene Saturday morningconducting a probe into the shooting death. Forensics officials had erected a tent on the east side ofKenilworthjust south of Hope to examine the victim's body.

Thomsaid police believe Malone "was specifically targeted" because his shooting death followed a chase through the neighbourhood.

No one else was injured in the shooting. Police have no suspects so far and have not discovered a weapon, he said.

"We are still conducting interviews and gathering evidence,"Thomadded.

Val whose apartment is situated on top of a storefront on the east side of Kenilworth said her two male roommates saw the shooting through a window.

My roommate ran across he was the first one on the scene and the gentleman was dead.Val, area resident

According to my roommates, they heard a truck stop and two gentlemen jumped out of a silver truck, said Val, who asked for her last name not to be published.

There was a gentlemen walking on the street and about four shots were fired. And they jumped back into their truck and took off at a high rate of speed.

My roommate ran across he was the first one on the scene and the gentleman was dead, she said. My other roommate called 911.

'Four loud bangs'

BlazeForgi, 18, was watching TV at his familys Hope Avenue home when he heard four loud bangs.

I looked out the window and I didnt see anything, said the Brock University student. And then an hour later, I noticed there were these flashing red and blue lights. So looked out there was a bunch of cops and ambulances out there.

Its been kind of crazy, saidForgiof a recent rash of violence in the area.

On Oct. 24, three male suspects allegedly beat and stabbed a 35-year-old manin the parking lot ofnearby Centre Mall. Police have called the attack a case of attempted murder.

• Related: Dangerous stabbing suspect turns himself in to Hamilton police

Since the Centre Mall thing and now this, saidForgi, its been kind of weird.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to callDet. PeterThomat 905-546-3843.