A targeted shooting in the Burlington Centre parking lot late Monday night has left a 24-year-old man dead, and police are urgently seeking information about a dark-coloured compact SUV seen in the area.
Omer Niaz Muhammad of Burlington was identified as the victim. Investigators believe he was deliberately targeted, and the incident unfolded around 10:10 p.m., shattering the quiet of the shopping complex.
A white SUV, initially identified as the suspect vehicle, was quickly located – abandoned and engulfed in flames in Hamilton. Now, detectives are focusing on a second vehicle, the dark-coloured compact SUV, hoping to unravel its connection to the crime.
Investigators are appealing to the public for any detail, no matter how small, that could lead to identifying the dark SUV or its occupants. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Major Crime Bureau.
Meanwhile, in Whitchurch-Stouffville, York Regional Police are investigating a separate shooting incident that occurred Thursday evening on Harold Ave. Gunfire struck a residence shortly after 9 p.m.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the Whitchurch-Stouffville shooting, but the house sustained visible damage. Investigators believe the home was the intended target, though the current occupants are newly arrived and likely not the focus of the attack.
Currently, police have no information regarding suspects or a suspect vehicle in the Whitchurch-Stouffville case. They are actively seeking any security or dashcam footage from the surrounding area that might offer clues.
Both investigations are ongoing, and police are relying on the public’s assistance to piece together the events and bring those responsible to justice. Anyone with information regarding either incident is encouraged to come forward.
For the Whitchurch-Stouffville shooting, the York Regional Police Firearms Investigations Team is asking for information, and anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers.
