Hamilton Police say the 26-year-old victim of a brazen rush-hour shooting at Hamilton’s main transit terminal was “an innocent bystander simply going about her day.”
Hamilton Police homicide unit Detective Sergeant John Obrovac said that just before 5:25 p.m. yesterday, a suspect described as a white male opened fire with a gun.
At the same time, Det. Sgt. Obrovac said Belinda Sarkodie “was making her way home” after “spending time with a friend in the downtown core.”
She was standing at a bus stop on King Street at James Street when she was struck.
“Despite life-saving measures, she was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Det. Sgt. Obrovac said.
Sarkodie Recently Immigrated to Canada
“Belinda immigrated to Canada from Ghana in 2024 and was living and working here in Hamilton,” Det. Sgt. Obrovac said.
She is the second innocent bystander to be struck and killed while standing at a HSR bus stop this year.
On April 17, 2025, at approximately 7:30 p.m., 21-year-old Harsimrat Randhawa was struck and killed by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop on Upper James Street near South Bend Road.
Randhawa was an international student from India who was studying at Mohawk College.
Police Believe Other Person Wounded Was the Target
Det. Sgt. Obrovac said the other victim, a male who was wounded and treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, may have been the target.
“At this time, we believe the suspect may have known the male victim and targeted him, although a motive has not yet been determined.”
The male victim spoke with police. Det. Sgt. Obrovac said he was not able to identify the shooter.
Suspect Fled on Foot: White Male Sought
The male suspect was last seek fleeing northbound on James Street on foot.
Hamilton Police released a description of the suspect. He is described as:
- White male
- Medium build
- Brown hair
- Wearing a black t-shirt with a white design on the front and a large red letter “V” on the back
- Blue shorts, dark socks, and dark shoes
- Wearing a dark, medical-style mask
Choatic Scene During Initial Response
Hamilton’s main intersection was extremely busy during this particular Friday rush hour.
“You could imagine how chaotic that area could be,” Det. Sgt. Obrovac said. “You probably couldn’t pick a busier intersection in the city”
Many were travelling home from work, while thousands more were attending Art Crawl on James Street North.
The Jackson Square cinema was showing multiple films to sold-out audiences, nearby live performance venues were hosting sold-out events. Restaurants and patios were full, with hundreds of people on nearby streets. A family event was being held across the intersection from the shooting in Gore Park.
Following the gunshots, Jackson Square was immediately locked down.
Police evacuated the large downtown shopping centre following active shooter protocols.
Police Seek Witnesses and Information
Det. Sgt. Obrovac said police detectives are reviewing video surveillance footage.
Police forensic investigators were documenting a field of debris consistent with where bullet casings would be expected to be found based on the bullet entry and exit damage visible on the bike share station at the intersection.
Combined with police stating the shooter fled northbound on James Street, it appears they were firing directly in front of the main entrance to Jackson Square.
The area is blanketed by security cameras.
Some of the cameras are operated by Hamilton Police. Hamilton’s public transit buses are equipped with multiple external cameras. The Jackson Square security cameras were recently upgraded.
“We’re in the process of processing all that video right now as we speak,” Det. Sgt. Obrovac said.
Anyone with information, video footage, or who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact Detective Michael Ebert of the Homicide Unit at 905-546-4167 or for those who wish to provide information anonymously, please consider reaching out to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at Crime Stoppers Hamilton’s Website.
Production Details
v. 1.0.0
Published: July 12, 2025
Last updated: July 12, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version