Hamilton Police-Involved Deaths
This is likely an incomplete list sourced from open source media and SIU reports, which are often incomplete and don’t share details. On average, police in so-called Canada shoot civilians 58 times per year – once a week. Approximately 40% are fatal. In 2022, there were 87 shootings by police in so-called canada, with 46 individuals being killed.
Andreas Chinnery (2001)
Andreas was described as lively, and in love with expressing himself through music. He was shot and killed by Hamilton Police at the age of 19, after a neighbour reported a verbal commotion next door.
Chevranna Abdi (2003)
Chevranna was a 26 year old Black transwoman, killed by Hamilton police when they dragged her down 7 flights of steps face-first.
Soun Saing (2007)
Soun was a quiet, religious man who came to the area as a refugee. He was shot by Hamilton Police, including Ryan Tocher, during a mental health crisis.
Phonesay Chanthachak (2012)
Was a 27 year old father of two, killed by Hamilton Police Officer Ryan Tocher, in plainclothes from an unmarked vehicle, as he was attempting to leave a parking lot in a stolen vehicle.
Mladen (Steve) Mesic (2013)
Steve Mesic was a beloved father and husband, who was shot in the back outside his home by Constables Kevin Farrell and Michael McClellan, after leaving the hospital AMA during a mental health crisis.
Anthony Divers (2016)
Was shot and killed by Hamilton Police Officer Nicholas Cercone after Anthony – actively suicidal at the time – “shrugged” at police orders to ‘get down or they would shoot’.
Quinn MacDougall (2018)
At the time of his murder, Quinn identified as Indigenous, was 19 and loved fishing, dancing, and discussing political events of the world. He was shot and killed by Hamilton Police while in distress, after calling them for help.
Robyn Garlow (2018)
Robyn, a 30 year old Inidgenous mother, was tased by police. Once she was incapacitated on the floor, police shot her 4 times.
Jason Peterson (2020)
Jason, a “bubbly and fun” father of two, was shot and killed by police while in a stolen vehicle, after expressing that he intended to engage in an instance of suicide-by-cop.
Unknown Person (2021)
A 51 year old female was killed when a Ford Pickup truck, being pursued by police, hit her vehicle at an intersection.
Shawn Petrie (2022)
Shawn was houseless, living out of his car, when he was shot and killed by Hamilton and Halton Police. Earlier that day he shot 5 people killing 3, including a police officer and his former coworkers.
Unknown Persons (2022)
Two individuals in the back seat of a Hyundai were killed when a Ford SUV, being pursued by Hamilton Police, hit the Hyundai.
Unknown Person (2022)
A 27 year old man was killed by Hamilton Police after a neighbour called in a “suspicious vehicle”. Police shot and killed the driver after they attempted to leave the scene. SIU will not name the individual.
Terry Brekka (2023)
Terry, 57, was shot and killed by police after a day-long standoff that came after Terry shot and killed two of his tenants over a housing dispute.