Ronald Crawford

On a warm summer evening in Hamilton, Ontario, Ronald Crawford, a male resident of the city, made a decision that would be remembered as the ultimate act of friendship and bravery. He had stopped by the Mr. Sub shop at 760 Concession Street to visit with his friend, who owned the store and was working behind the counter. His visit, however, coincided with a moment of sudden, violent desperation that would end his life and leave a community searching for answers for more than two decades.

The night was Sunday, August 4, 2002. At around 11:00 p.m., just as the shop was preparing to close, a man entered with a knife and the intention of robbing the store. He approached the owner and demanded cash. Unseen by the robber, Ronald was in an alcove within the shop. He could have remained hidden, but when he saw his friend threatened, he did not hesitate. Ronald bravely came forward to intervene, confronting the armed man. In the struggle that followed, the surprised assailant stabbed Ronald once in the chest before fleeing the shop empty-handed. Police and paramedics rushed to the scene, but his injury was too severe, and Ronald Crawford could not be saved.

The killer escaped to a dark-colored, four-door compact car that was waiting for him on nearby West 31st Street. The vehicle, driven by another man, was last seen speeding south. Hamilton Police investigators were left with a description of the primary suspect: a white male, between 20 and 40 years old, standing approximately six feet tall with a slim build. He had dark stubble on what might have been a shaved head and spoke with a deep voice. He was wearing dark clothing, including a hooded pullover. The getaway driver was described only as a male with a dark complexion.

The Hamilton Police Service launched a homicide investigation that would span years. For nearly a decade, the case saw few public developments, though Ronald’s selfless heroism was not forgotten. In 2005, he was posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal for Bravery, a prestigious honor recognizing civilians who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. The official citation noted that Ronald had rushed to protect his friend and was fatally stabbed while trying to subdue the armed attacker.

A significant break in the case came almost ten years after the murder. On April 4, 2012, Hamilton Police arrested a 41-year-old man named Jason Fraser. He was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. Investigators alleged that Fraser was the man behind the wheel of the getaway car that night. While this arrest marked a major step forward, the man who wielded the knife and delivered the fatal wound to Ronald Crawford remained at large.

As of early 2018, the homicide of Ronald Crawford is still listed as an open and unsolved case by the Hamilton Police Service. The identity of the man who entered the Mr. Sub shop that night is a crucial piece of a puzzle that investigators are still determined to solve. Police continue to seek assistance from the public, believing that someone has the information needed to finally bring justice to the man who killed a hero. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hamilton Police Major Crime Unit at 905-546-3829 or to provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.