Hamilton homicide detectives bust jailbird in 2023 murder
· Toronto Sun
When Hamilton detectives finally zeroed in on their primary suspect in a brazen 2023 murder, they didn’t have to look far.
Their suspected killer was already behind bars – as he has been frequently throughout his adult life.
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Cops announced Thursday that they had arrested and charged Erik Kalanyos, a 29-year-old Hamilton man, with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 29-year-old Daniel Musafiri .
According to Hamilton Police investigators, on Dec. 29, 2023, around 10:48 p.m., officers responded to reports of shots fired in the area of York Blvd. and Queen St. N.
Officers located Musafiri suffering from a gunshot wound.
Ambushed outside pool hall
He was later pronounced dead at a Steel City hospital.
Detectives learned that prior to the shooting, Musafiri had been at Boulevard Billiards. When he left the pool hall, he was confronted by a suspect in the parking area of 103 Queen St. N. Following a short verbal exchange, Musafiri was fatally shot.
Witnesses said the triggerman fled the area in a black Dodge Challenger.
During another probe, homicide detectives obtained new information that provided additional intelligence linking a suspect to Musafiri’s slaying . Investigators were then able to build upon the evidence gathered during the early stages of the case, which ultimately led to the identification of a suspect.
Accused triggerman Erik Kalanyos, who was in custody on an unrelated matter, has now been arrested and charged.
“For more than two years, Daniel’s family has carried the unimaginable weight of losing a loved one to violence,” police said in a statement. “Investigators recognize the profound impact his death has had on those closest to him and have remained committed to pursuing justice on their behalf.”
“While no arrest can undo the pain of this loss, police hope this development provides some measure of relief as the matter proceeds through the courts.”
Accused killer has long record
Kalanyos was convicted of a 2019 armed robbery at a local Shoppers Drug Mart. In that escapade, a pharmacist was ordered to fill a garbage bag with narcotics. Hours later, police recovered the garbage bag of narcotics, a loaded firearm and two associated stolen motor vehicles.
Kalanyos and his three-man crew were hit with 55 robbery and firearms charges.
In January 2024, the OPP put out a release looking for information on Kalanyos for breaching his statutory release. He had been serving a three-year sentence for robbery, armed robbery, possession of property obtained by crime and failure to comply with probation.
The murder victim’s mother, Mosengo Immaculee, said in a statement: “My life was completely shattered when my son was killed.”
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Not first pool hall slaying
The murder of Daniel Musafiri also wasn’t the first homicide to occur at or near Boulevard Billiards.
In 2019, cops said Ibrahim Issak-Hussen allegedly shot and killed 29-year-old Obsa Junedi-Mohamed outside the pool hall. Before they could make an arrest, he was on a plane from Toronto to Ethiopia less than 36 hours later. His identity was not known at the time he boarded the plane.
Cops say they are still looking to try and return the alleged killer to Canada to face justice.
Anyone with additional information that may assist investigators is asked to contact Det. Alex Buck 905-546-4123