Message from Councillor Tom Jackson:

After an unfortunate violent incident in the plaza parking lot outside of the Coolers Bar and Plaza last September, I immediately facilitated an "all-players" meeting including various levels of authorities with Hamilton Police Service (HPS) as the lead with full support from my office to deal with this matter urgently. There was concern and unsettledness shared with me by both law-abiding residents nearby and other commercial entities to what happened. I wish to highly commend and hugely thank our outstanding HPS and specifically the two main units....the High Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) and the Shooting Response Team (SRT) that did the investigative work which resulted in the two arrests! Sensational work! All the overwhelming majority of the community in the vicinity of this site wanted in my opinion was a peace of mind to enjoy their lives as safely as possible. My Ward 6 Office wishes to thank Chief Frank Bergen as well as Deputy Ryan Diodati and Deputy Paul Hamilton for what your service does to protect the East Mountain community and our city overall!

Coolers Bar Shooter Arrested; Major Drug Seizure Follows

On September 21, 2024, a shooting took place outside Coolers Bar at Upper Gage Avenue and Fennell Avenue East. One individual suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and several nearby businesses sustained damage from gunfire.

Following an extensive investigation by the Shooting Response Team, Detectives identified the suspect involved.

On Friday, May 23, 2025, members of the Division 30 High Enforcement Action Team (H.E.A.T.) executed a search warrant at a Hamilton Mountain residence as part of a separate drug trafficking investigation. During the search, police arrested the individual believed responsible for the Coolers Bar shooting.

The search resulted in the seizure of:

• A large sum of Canadian currency
• A 9mm Glock handgun
• 272 grams of cocaine
• 53 grams of fentanyl
• Oxycodone pills

As a result, Connor Duncan, 20, of Hamilton, faces the following charges related to the shooting:

• Reckless Discharge of a Firearm
• Discharge Firearm with Intent
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Prohibited/Restricted Loaded Firearm
• Assault with a Weapon

Duncan has also been charged in connection with the drug investigation:

• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Prohibited/Restricted Loaded Firearm
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Oxycodone, Cocaine, Fentanyl)
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000

Kandice Kuhn, 34, also of Hamilton, was arrested at the scene and charged with the same drug-related offences.

Hamilton Police take gun violence seriously and remain committed to pursuing those responsible. While charges have been laid, the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident or any other shooting is asked to contact the Shooting Response Team at 905-546-4883 or email [email protected].

Tips related to drug trafficking can be directed to the Major Drugs and Gangs Unit at [email protected].

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit crimestoppershamilton.com.