Michael Swistak

Michael Swistak, a 36-year-old man, was known to have a good heart and was loved by his family. His life was cut short on the evening of Good Friday, in a sudden and violent encounter that began over a simple refusal of entry to a house. His death, the first homicide of 2012 in Hamilton, Ontario, left his loved ones grappling with a loss that remains unresolved more than a decade later.

On April 6, 2012, at approximately 8:15 p.m., an unknown man approached a house on Madison Avenue in central Hamilton, a residence police later described as an active 'crack-house'. A woman answered the door but did not recognize the man and denied him entry. A verbal confrontation began, and another man from inside the house came to the door, telling the stranger in no uncertain terms to leave. It was at this moment that Michael Swistak arrived at the scene by coincidence. He inserted himself into the argument, siding with the residents and instigating some minor pushing and shoving to emphasize that the man was not welcome.

The unwelcome visitor retreated, walking north from the dead end of Madison Avenue into the schoolyard of Cathy Wever Elementary School. Swistak and the other man from the house followed him, continuing to voice their disapproval. The suspect warned them to leave him alone, stating, "you don’t want none of what I got." Despite the warning, they continued to follow. The man then turned, pulled a handgun from his front waistband, and fired a single shot. The bullet struck Michael, and he fell to the ground.

The shooter immediately fled, disappearing down an alley that led toward Sanford Avenue. Police and emergency services responded to a 911 call, and Michael was rushed to Hamilton General Hospital. Tragically, he succumbed to the gunshot wound and was pronounced dead. An autopsy was performed as police began their investigation into the city's first homicide of the year.

The Hamilton Police Service immediately launched an investigation, designated as case number 12580211. Detectives stated that the shooting was not random and was "directly related to illegal drug activity" connected to the Madison Avenue house. They sought a suspect described as a Black male, between 20 and 30 years old, with an Afro-style haircut. Despite this description and appeals to the public for information, the man who fired the fatal shot has never been identified, and the murder weapon has not been recovered.

In the years since Michael’s death, the case has grown cold, but it has not been closed. The Hamilton Police Service continues to list Michael Swistak on its Unsolved Homicides registry. Investigators believe that there are people in the community who have information about the shooter's identity and what happened that night in the schoolyard. They have periodically re-issued calls for anyone with knowledge of the crime to come forward.

As of the latest updates, Michael’s case remains an active, albeit unsolved, investigation. His family has endured years of waiting for answers and for justice. Police continue to ask anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact the Major Crime Unit. Detective Paul Hamilton was an early contact for tips at 905-546-3825, and later appeals were directed to S/Sgt Peter Thom at 905-546-2458. Anonymous tips can also be provided to Crime Stoppers.