Driver fired gunshots at victim's vehicle in 403 road rage incident: police

Hamilton police are trying to track down a man who investigators allege repeatedly shot at another car in a road rage incident on Highway 403 Wednesday morning.

A man was driving eastbound on the 403 near Brantford around 5:45 a.m. when he noticed another vehicle driving aggressively around other cars on the highway, a police news release reads.

The man who was driving aggressively then started to tailgate the victim's vehicle, before pulling up alongside him.

"At this point, the suspect operating this vehicle produced a firearm and shot multiple rounds striking the victims' vehicle before speeding away," the news release reads.

It's not entirely clear what led to things escalating so quickly, but Const. Lorraine Edwards told CBC News that the suspect in the incident then noticed the victim's vehicle, "which led to him targeting him."

After the initial shooting, the victim then continued to follow the man who had shot at him, police say, in an effort to get his licence plate.

The car exited onto the Lincoln Alexander Parkway, and drove toward the area of Fortissimo Drive and Connell Crescent.

"At this time, the suspect stopped, exited his vehicle and walked towards the victim firing several more rounds in the victim's direction," the news release reads.

"The victim was not injured and quickly left the area and called the police. The suspect got back into his vehicle and fled the area."

The suspect's vehicle is described as a newer-model, four-door vehicle that was dark grey.

Edwards said it does not appear the two men knew each other, and the victim was not previously known to police. 

Hamilton police announced Tuesday that they are creating a task force to take on gun violence and drug trafficking in response to a sharp rise in shootings.

There have been nine shootings in Hamilton so far in 2019, compared to three shootings last year during the same time period.

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