The Congolese community of Hamilton destabilized after the death of Daniel Musafiri

The shooting death of 29-year-old Hamilton man Daniel Musafiri has hit the Congolese community in Hamilton hard, says the head of a local community association.

“This is the single event where I’ve seen all of our communities from Hamilton are very, very disturbed,” Jean-Jacques Somwe, president of the Congolese Community of Hamilton, told CBC Hamilton.

Musafiri died after being shot in the city’s core, near York Boulevard and Queen Street on Dec. 29 around 10:45 p.m., according to Hamilton police.

After officers arrived at the scene, Musafiri was taken to the hospital but he didn’t survive.

Police say the Musafiri exited Boulevard Billiards and was confronted by someone driving a 2022 black Dodge Challenger Hellcat.

A vehicle.
Police say Musafiri exited Boulevard Billiards and was confronted by someone driving a 2022 black Dodge Challenger Hellcat before being shot. (Submitted by Hamilton Police Service)

They exchanged words before Daniel was shot and the driver fled south on Queen Street.

Police are looking for a man they described as having a fair complexion, between 25 and 30 years old, with a full, long beard and a woman who witnessed the shooting.