Omer Niaz Muhammad, a young Canadian rap artist with thousands of followers on social media, was killed last night in what police believe was a targeted attack
Halton Regional Police confirmed 24-year-old Burlington resident Omer Niaz Muhammad, also known as rapper Lil OT, was killed last night in a shooting in the parking lot of Kelsey’s at Burlington Centre.
Muhammad, who has released two albums since 2023, has more than 27,000 followers on Instagram. He had previously survived a drive-by shooting in 2023 at his family’s home in Hamilton, according to The Spec.
In a press conference Tuesday morning, Constable Jeff Dillon said police believe 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 said.
The victim was shot at 10:10 p. m. and was transported hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police are looking for two suspects who fled in a white SUV. No description of the suspects was provided.
The motive of the shooting remains unclear, as police are still working to determine the relationship between the victim and suspects, and if this incident is connected to any previous shootings in Halton.
Police are asking for anyone in the area at the time with video footage or information to aid the investigation.
Halton police Cst. Jeff Dillon said police are searching 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.”
In Instagram comments on Lil OT’s page, fans and friends shared their farewells.
“Rest in peace, brother,” one wrote, as others posted dove and broken heart emojis.
One shopper at the mall said she was shocked by the news of the murder.
“You hear about these things in the bigger cities, but you are not expecting it to happen in your community,” she said.
This is Burlington’s first homicide of the year.
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