Omer Niaz Muhammad, a young Canadian rap artist with a significant following on social media, was shot and killed last night in what authorities believe was a deliberate attack.
Halton Regional Police have confirmed that 24-year-old Omer Niaz Muhammad, known by his stage name Lil OT, was fatally shot in the parking lot of Kelsey’s at Burlington Centre.
Muhammad, who had released two albums since 2023, boasted over 27,000 followers on Instagram. He had previously survived a drive-by shooting in 2023 at his family’s residence in Hamilton, according to The Spec.
During a press conference Tuesday morning, Constable Jeff Dillon mentioned that police suspect the shooting was targeted.
“We do believe this was a targeted incident and we do not believe there is any known risk to public safety,” he stated.
The shooting occurred at 10:10 p. m., and he was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities are searching for two suspects who escaped in a white SUV. No details about the suspects have been shared yet.
The motive behind the shooting is still unclear as police are trying to figure out the connection between the victim and the suspects, along with whether this incident relates to any prior shootings in Halton.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have video footage or information from that time to come forward and help with the investigation.
Halton police Cst. Jeff Dillon indicated that they are looking for two suspects who fled in a white SUV. Chris Arnold/Burlington Today
“Unfortunately one young man lost his life,” Dillon said. “When you are in a wide open parking lot like this and a gun is fired, it was lucky that nobody else was struck. It shows a rampant disregard for anyone else who may have been here.”
On Instagram, fans and friends of Lil OT expressed their condolences.
“Rest in peace, brother,” one wrote while others shared dove and broken heart emojis.
A shopper at the mall commented on her shock regarding the murder news.
“You hear about these things in bigger cities, but you don’t expect it to happen in your community,” she said.
This marks Burlington’s first homicide of the year.
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