On the evening of May 20, 1982, a violent ambush on a Hamilton, Ontario, street cut short the life of Allan Kinloch. A member of the Satan’s Choice Motorcycle Club, his death was one of several slayings that marked a turbulent era of biker conflict in the city. Decades later, his case remains an open and unsolved homicide, a lingering mystery from a violent chapter in the region's history.
That Thursday night, at approximately 9:45 p.m., Allan was the front-seat passenger in a friend's car. They were traveling along York Boulevard, having just exited Highway 403 into Hamilton. Suddenly, a large, dark green vehicle carrying two or three men pulled up alongside them. Without warning, four shots were fired from the suspect vehicle directly into the car Allan was in. He was struck by the gunfire.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the dark green car made a U-turn and fled, speeding off in the direction of Burlington.
Allan’s friend, desperate to get help, sped into the city and managed to flag down patrol officers at the intersection of York and Bay streets. Allan was rushed to Hamilton General Hospital, but his injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead just a few minutes after arriving.
The investigation was immediately undertaken by the Hamilton Police Service. From the outset, detectives believed the brazen shooting was not a random act of violence. Allan Kinloch's affiliation with the Satan's Choice Motorcycle Club placed the homicide squarely in the context of the "biker war" that plagued Hamilton during the 1980s. This period was characterized by violent clashes between rival outlaw motorcycle clubs vying for territory and control. Investigators considered the possibility that Allan's murder was a targeted hit by a rival gang. Another theory was that the killing was retribution for a dispute that had occurred within his own club.
The environment of fear and silence that often surrounds organized crime proved to be a significant challenge for law enforcement. As is common in murders linked to criminal organizations, few witnesses were willing to cooperate with the police at the time. This reluctance to come forward hampered the investigation in its early, critical stages, leaving detectives with few leads to pursue. In August 1985, the violence continued with the murders of fellow Satan's Choice member Brent Roddick, Outlaws member James Lewis, and Red Devils member Michael Carey, further highlighting the intensity of the conflict. The day after Roddick was found dead, the Satan's Choice Hamilton chapter was disbanded.
Years have turned into decades, but the Hamilton Police Service has not closed the file on Allan Kinloch's murder. The case, number 82024200, remains on the force's list of unsolved homicides. Investigators hold out hope that the passage of time may change allegiances and loosen tongues. People who were once too afraid to speak with police may now be in a position to come forward with crucial information without the same fear of reprisal.
As of February 2026, the investigation into Allan Kinloch's death is ongoing. Police continue to appeal to the public for any information that might finally provide a breakthrough. They believe someone has the missing piece of the puzzle that could lead to an arrest and bring a measure of closure to a case that has remained cold for over forty years. Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to contact the Hamilton Police Service Major Crime Unit at 905-546-3829.
