Police investigating 2 weekend shootings, brings total this year to 31

Violenceerupted againin Hamilton over the weekendas two men were sent to hospital after two separate shootings.

It's part of a troubling local trend, in a city that has already seen more shootings this year than all of last year.

The first happened around 10 p.m. Friday, when police were called to Palacebeach Trail in Stoney Creek for reports of shots fired.

When they got there, they found a 29-year-old man who was shot in his torso and leg.

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Police say he was treated at the scene, and then taken to hospital with serios, but non-life-threatening injuries.

"Police have learned that the victim had walked up to the passenger side of a silver/grey car when he was shot," a police news release reads. "The vehicle and occupants fled westbound on the North Service Road prior to police arrival. The identity of the occupants of the car at this time are unknown.

"This shooting does not appear to be a random act, and at this time does not appear to be connected to recent similar incidents."

The second incident happened in the area of Barton Street E. and Sherman Avenue at about 5 a.m. this morning.

In a news release, police said they were called to the area for reports of shots fired.

When they got there, then found a man suffering from non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital in stable condition.

"The motive and suspects in the incident are unknown at this time," the news release reads.

These incidents mark the 30thand 31st shootings in the city this year, with seven of them occurring in a period of just over a week.

Police say all the shootings so far in 2017 have been "targeted," meaning that the victim and the shooter know each other or have some kind of connection.

They also believe many of them are tied to drugs, though many of the shootings are still under investigation.

Police are asking anyone who knows anything about the shootings to call them or get in touch with Crime Stoppers.

adam.carter@cbc.ca