Police say that the shooting was targeted, and that the victim was in the area for an appointment, with the shooter waiting in a car for him to walk past.
It was a brazen shooting homicide in the middle of the day in a busy part of the city.
On Wednesday, March 6, just before 1pm, Hamilton Police were called to King Street West and MacNab Street South by Jackson Square for reports of shots fired.
Police say that a masked shooter jumped out of a car and shot 19-year-old Alexander Circiumaru several times before returning to the car and fleeing westbound on King Street West.
Circiumaru was pronounced deceased in hospital. His killer remains wanted by police.
The incident was the City of Hamilton’s second homicide of 2024.
Detective Daryl Reid of the Hamilton Police Homicide Unit said that the area was busy that day.
“There were dozens, if not 100 people, moving through the area at that time of day. Any shooting is a concern to us, but to occur at 1pm in the downtown core with government buildings and malls nearby, there’s an extra level of concern,” said Reid.
“There were numerous people that could’ve been easily caught in the crossfire,” he continued.
Police say that the shooting was targeted and that Circiumaru was in the area for an appointment, with the shooter waiting in a car for him to walk past.
The vehicle involved was a black Honda Civic, which police now say was located in Hamilton’s east end.
The only other information police are able to provide is that the shooter is described as a male wearing black clothing with a hood over his head, gloves, and a facemask.
It has now been over two weeks since the incident.
The family of the 19-year-old Circiumaru issued a statement through Hamilton Police.
The full text can be found online within the Hamilton Police media release.
The statement reads: “We have no words to express our heartbreak – we can only keep praying for justice. The man who maliciously, with no care for human life, took our son Alexander Lee Circiumaru on 3-6-24 will be brought to justice.”
“The individual has no right to be a part of society and to be free. You’re a danger to this world.”
“Do not let our son’s name be forgotten. He was loving, caring, and had a good heart. He was a little brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and grandson. He will forever be in our hearts and missed.”
Investigators are asking anyone who has information to contact Detective Andrew Grant by calling 905-546-3874.
Tips can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
