In Hamilton, violence and murder in the city core has exploded.
On Thursday around 6:30 p.m. , officers were called to 191 Main St. after gunshots were reported. Cops found 19-year-old Talon Williams-Parkin with life-threatening injuries. The victim was taken to hospital, where he died.
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In a bitter twist, two blocks away at Hamilton City Hall, around 200 people gathered to honour another teenager who was fatally shot at the inner city’s Jackson Square mall.
Nabil Askafe, 16, was killed on April 24 following what detectives described as a “small interaction” with a younger teen that began several blocks from the mall. According to cops, the Westdale Secondary School student walked around 100 metres inside Jackson Square, was shot and collapsed.
“A lot of people are asking: How was it possible for a 14-year-old to get a gun?” Imam Sayed Tora, director of the youth centre at the Hamilton Muslim Mosque, said at the gathering of the accused shooter, as per The Spectator.
“We need to work together to tackle this problem of youth violence because every life is precious.”
Cops say the triggerman fired at least seven shots. A 14-year-old boy surrendered on Sunday after police had released his image. He is charged with second-degree murder and remains in custody.
The murder scene on Thursday night was inside a highrise building that is part of CityHousing Hamilton between Caroline and Hess Sts. The seniors building also includes several floors dedicated to Wesley Youth Housing. Police officers and fire crews are frequent fliers at the building.
Investigators believe the gunman was also injured and are searching for two suspects.
The latest inner city slaying is part of a growing problem for Hamilton’s core. Jackson Square has been ground zero for much of the violence.
Nov. 27, 2023
Two men arguing over $30 triggered bloodshed and left 52-year-old Kevin Brown dead. Nathan Kanis-Lynch, 25, was charged with second-degree murder in the brutal stabbing.
March 6, 2024
Alexander Circiumaru, 19, was shot and killed in a brazen daytime shooting on a busy sidewalk. Cops say the execution was targeted and premeditated. Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Circiumaru’s killer or killers.
July 28, 2024
Another daytime shooting. A man suffered life-threatening injures in gunplay steps away from where Circiumaru was killed. A 15-year-old was sentenced to a measly two years in custody for the shooting.
Aug. 15 2025
Belinda Sarkodie, 26, an international student, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was killed in yet another shocking daytime shooting near a bus stop. At the time, the streets were packed with Art Crawl revellers. A 17-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder.
Jan. 20, 2026
Jerzy Nataluk, 67, was killed in what cops say was an unprovoked attack. Jackson Square security guards found Nataluk unconscious. They said he was “sucker punched” in the head, causing him to fall backwards and suffer serious head injuries. Gerald Deschamps, 48, has been charged with manslaughter.
Anyone with information on any crime is asked to contact Hamilton Police at 905-546-4725 or Crime Stoppers.