Stoney Creek man charged with first-degree murder in death of David Stevens
Published June 3, 2020 at 6:14 pm
Hamilton Police say they have made an arrest in connection to the murder of David Stevens who was shot and killed in his apartment in January.
Hamilton Police say they have made an arrest in connection to the murder of David Stevens who was shot and killed in his apartment in January.
Around 11.30 p.m., on January 29, 2020, 46-year-old David Stevens was on his laptop inside his apartment at 21 Harvey St., when he was shot through his door. When paramedics arrived on scene minutes later, they found Stevens unresponsive and took him to the Hamilton General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Stevens’ death was the first homicide of 2020 in Hamilton.
Investigators have now charged 23-year-old Shajjad Idrish of Stoney Creek with first-degree murder in the killing of Stevens. Idrish appeared by video in court Wednesday (June 3) morning at the John Sopinka Courthouse and was remanded into custody.
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Shajjad Idrish was arrested by Brantford Police Service on February 14, in connection to the murder of Jason Kossatz, and the attempted murder of two other persons that occurred on February 8, at the Galaxy Motel on Colborne Street in Brantford.
Idrish has been in custody since his arrest by Brantford Police Service.
In the Stevens murder, three individuals were observed on video kicking in the front door of the Harvey Street rooming house. All three entered the residence and were seen running out again 30 seconds later. It was during this time that Stevens was fatally shot.
The three individuals then fled in a silver or grey coloured, Chevrolet Cruze, 2015 model or older, four-door with no sunroof which was captured on video driving away from the scene.
Major Crime investigators believe they have identified the other two men who were with Idrish when Stevens was killed. Police say that none of these individuals were known to Stevens.
Police say that the investigation revealed that the three men went to 21 Harvey St. to settle an ongoing dispute between Idrish and one of the other occupants in the seven-apartment rooming house. Stevens was not the intended target of the shooting and several tenants have since moved out of the rooming house, including the intended target.
Only one weapon was fired inside 21 Harvey St. and that gun has not been recovered.
On March 6, a 19-year-old Hamilton man was arrested in connection to the murder of Stevens. This man was released unconditionally after being interviewed by police but remains a suspect in the ongoing investigation.
On April 30, Major Crime investigators interviewed a 20-year-old Hamilton man. Police say they believe he is the third person who entered the Harvey Street residence when Stevens was killed. This individual was informed of his status in the case, police say.
Police say they have recommended that the aforementioned 19 and 20-year-old males seek legal advice as to their status in this case, as the investigation continues and further evidence is anticipated to be unveiled.
Police are still looking for the silver or grey Chevrolet Cruze pictured above.
They say this car is likely an outstanding stolen vehicle from Brantford which was stolen on the night of the murder and was bearing Ontario licence plate BKXP 727. Anyone who observes this vehicle or has knowledge of its whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Detective Rich Wouters of the Major Crime Unit by calling 905-546-4921.
To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.
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