On Monday, July 17, 2023, shortly before 10:00p.m., the Hamilton Police non-emergency line received a call reporting that there was a shooting in progress in which a father had shot his wife and daughter, while the son was hiding in a room within the residence on Rendell Boulevard.

Police responded to the area and immediately established a perimeter, while Hamilton Paramedics set up a medical treatment location.

An investigation revealed the number used to call the emergency line was a computer-generated voice over internet protocol number. Police made contact with the residents of the home and found no evidence of any shooting and no victims.

On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, shortly before 12:30a.m., police received a phone call from Hamilton Health Sciences stating that they received a bomb threat. There was no detail regarding specific hospital provided by the suspect. Police attended the hospital and no explosive devices were located. Hamilton Police have since confirmed that call came from a Text Now number and the investigation is ongoing.  

On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at approximately 12:30a.m., the Hamilton Police non-emergency line received a call from a male stating that his mother and father were arguing and that he heard four gunshots then saw his mother laying on the living room floor, while father had fled the scene.

Police responded to the residence located on Purnell Drive and confirmed that this was another swatting call, with no evidence of any shooting and no victims.

Hamilton Police have not confirmed if these calls were related and are investigating them as separate incidents at this time.

Hamilton Police are investigating and take false or prank calls very seriously, as they put both community and officers life’s at risk. 

If you have any information that you believe could assist Police with the investigation into this crime, please contact Detective Constable Petros at 905-546-8965.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, a fake story in which the Hamilton Police entered into a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force was sent out to media outlets.

The story was then published and quickly gained attention locally and internationally.

Hamilton Police can confirm this investigation did not occur and the email did not originate from the Hamilton Police Service.

The Hamilton Police are investigating into the email source that created and sent out this information. 

Impersonating a police officer is a criminal offence. Hamilton Police recognize the public’s trust in the police is very important and incidents like this can cause the community to second guess police communication.

If you have any information that you believe could assist Police with the investigation into this crime you are asked to contact the Hamilton Police Technology Crime Unit by calling 905-546-4793.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com