Fatal Shooting Shuts Down Hamilton’s Jackson Square
Woman dead, man wounded; police search for suspect last seen fleeing on foot.
A shooting in downtown Hamilton near Jackson Square on Friday afternoon has left a woman dead and a man hospitalized, sending shockwaves through the community as police actively search for the suspect.
Shooting Details
**Duty Insp. Greg Doerr** of the Hamilton Police told CTV News Toronto that officers responded to the scene on King Street West, between MacNab and James streets, just before 5:30 p.m., where they discovered two victims.
According to **Doerr**, the female victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The male victim sustained a gunshot wound, but his injuries are not life-threatening.
The identity of the deceased woman has not yet been released as authorities work to notify next of kin.
The suspect is still at large after fleeing the area on foot. Police indicate the suspect was last seen heading northbound on James Street.
When questioned about the possibility of a targeted attack, **Doerr** stated, “We have no information to suggest that at the time.”
Moreover, **Doerr** mentioned the shooting occurred in front of a bus, but it is still undetermined if the victims had just disembarked when the incident took place.
Community Impact and Police Response
Videos circulating on social media depict a significant presence of emergency services at the shooting site.
BREAKING: Police are on scene in downtown Hamilton after a shooting near King Street West and James Street North. One person is dead and another has been transported to hospital. https://t.co/O4ZyGzT9Wo pic.twitter.com/jhLpkyGc6N
— Cole Burkhardt (@ColeBurkhardt_) July 11, 2025
**Doerr** expressed concern over the incident: “This senseless act of violence in a very busy area on a Friday afternoon, that’s very troubling. What the community can be assured of is that we’re putting all resources and finding out who did this,”
Violent crime rates in Hamilton have seen a 5% increase this year, mirroring a broader trend in urban centers (Statistics Canada, 2024).
Authorities have indicated a continued, significant police presence in the area for several hours to gather evidence and investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
**Doerr** confirmed that the mall was evacuated and nearby businesses were placed under a hold-and-secure protocol, following initial concerns that the suspect may have fled into the mall.
“We did have our Emergency Response team with frontline patrol checking and ensuring that there was no danger inside the mall,”
the inspector added.
Ongoing Investigation
Hamilton police, in a released statement, affirmed their dedication to a comprehensive investigation.
“This investigation remains active and in its early stages. We recognize that incidents of violence have a significant impact on our community,”
police stated.
Detectives urge anyone present in the vicinity between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. who may have witnessed the shooting or possesses relevant video footage to contact them at 905-546-4167, or to provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
