Johnson, in a photograph he uploaded to Facebook earlier this year. (images from Facebook)

Last updated: Dec. 5

In the early hours of the morning on Saturday, Nov. 30,  McMaster student Tyler Johnson was shot during an altercation on King Street West and died on the scene from his gunshot wounds.

Johnson, aged 30, was a fourth-year mechanical engineering student planning to pursue his Masters at McMaster next year. At approximately 3 a.m. on Saturday morning, Johnson was involved in an incident between two groups of men outside of Vida La Pita restaurant near the corner of King Street West and Caroline Street, one block east of Hess Village, Hamilton's popular bar district.

Hamilton police detective Paul Hamilton said in a news release that the conflict occurring between the two groups, "quickly escalated when one man produced a handgun and shot the victim."

Johnson's body was found in the nearby Tim Hortons parking lot and was pronounced dead at Hamilton General Hospital. This is the second homicide in a two month period for this parking lot on King Street West. On Sept. 15, David Pereira, 18, was stabbed to death at 2:30 a.m. Raleigh Stubbs, 49, has been charged with his murder.

Ishwar Puri, Dean of Engineering, spoke on behalf of McMaster regarding the tragedy. "The University is expressing its condolences to the family and friends of Tyler. Of course, this will be upsetting news for those who studied with Tyler, those who many have taught him and known him," he said.

Details about the circumstances leading to Johnson's death and those responsible remain sparse.  Police are interviewing witnesses at this time and urge anyone with information to make contact with Detective Jason Cattle of the homicide unit at 905-546-4123 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Johnson's family is holding a visitation at the Marlatt Funeral Home at 615 Main St. East on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the same location on Friday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Grief counselling is being offered to students at the Student Wellness Centre in McMaster University Student Centre room B101. Appointments can be made at the Centre or by calling 905-525-9140 x27700.