Community seeks answers as Shariek Douse finally gets funeral
After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Shariek Douse's family is finally about to bury the 18-year-old, some two weeks after he was fatally shot in Hamilton's North End.
While his family mourns, members of the community are gathering at a forum next week to discuss a summer punctuated by gun violence that remains unsolved.
Many questions remain for Hamiltonians about youth gangs and gun violence, as no arrests have been made in connection with multiple daylight shootings or Douse's targeted killing.
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Hamilton police investigators did not respond to a request for comment on the status of the investigation.
Ward 2 Coun. Jason Farr, whose office is spearheading the meeting, told CBC News that police representatives will be at the Sept. 3 meeting at the Bennetto Recreation Centre to answer questions.
Representatives from the John Howard Society will also be there, alongside Farr, Ward 3 Coun. Matthew Green, and other city staff.
"We're there to listen and take questions," Farr said. "I believe all the right people will be there and they'll be able to respond accordingly to any questions that come."
"We're leaving the mic open. Anyone who wants to come up to have a comment or a question can do so."
Mentions of gang activity bubble to the surface
Though police have been reluctant to make connections between recent violence and gang activity, Douse's friends have said his death was gang related, mentioning names like BNA and LOM, groups that were talked about last year when 14-year-old Jesse Clarke was killed.
Beth Bromberg – a defence lawyer who is representing Brodie Nicholls, who pleaded guilty to stabbing Clarke – also talked about gang violence in court during Nicholls' sentencing hearing earlier this month.
She said the "initial aggressors" in the incident that lead to Clarke's death were a "youth gang in the neighbourhood."
Clarke's stepmother Katherine Lutz also talked about the looming spectre of gang violence for Hamilton's youth right now. "None of our kids feel safe. They're being bullied to join these gangs," she said in a previous interview outside court.
Douse funeral planned for this weekend
Farr told CBC News that he has also heard from ward residents who are worried about gang violence.
"I'm sure some people in the room will want to talk about that, and we will talk through that," he said. "We'll leave it to those in the know to offer what they can."
While the community at large seeks answers, Douse's funeral has been planned for this weekend. A fundraising campaign to cover his funeral costs raised just under $5,000.
A viewing is set for 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday at Bernardo Funeral Home on Albion Road in Toronto. A funeral service follows at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Covenant of Promise church in North York.
The meeting on community violence is being held on Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bennetto Recreation Centre auditorium at 450 Hughson St. N.