Hamilton police charge man with 1st‑degree murder in 2023 killing of Daniel Musafiri

Hamilton police say they have charged a man with first‑degree murder in the shooting death of Daniel Musafiri, more than two years after the 29‑year‑old was killed outside a local billiards hall.

Musafiri was killed on Dec. 29, 2023, after police were called to the York Boulevard and Queen Street North area around 10:48 p.m. for reports of gunfire. Officers arrived to find him suffering from a gunshot wound; he was rushed to the hospital and later pronounced dead.

Investigators said suspects were seen fleeing the area, but no descriptions were available at the time.

Further investigation revealed Musafiri had been at Boulevard Billiards shortly before the shooting. When he left the establishment, authorities said he was confronted by a suspect driving a 2022 black Dodge Challenger Hellcat, a vehicle police later released images of while appealing for witnesses.

Investigators said Erik Kalanyos, 29, of Hamilton, has been arrested and charged with first‑degree murder. Police revealed Kalanyos was already in custody at the time of the arrest and awaiting sentencing on human trafficking charges unrelated to the homicide.

Detectives also confirmed that before the shooting, Kalanyos had been on parole and that he had breached the conditions of that parole.

Police said Thursday they cannot comment on the interaction or conversation between the suspect and victim leading up to the shooting, noting that those details are now before the courts. Investigators also said it remains unknown whether Musafiri and Kalanyos knew each other prior to the fatal encounter.

“For more than two years, Daniel’s family has carried the unimaginable weight of losing a loved one to violence. Investigators recognize the profound impact his death has had on those closest to him and have remained committed to pursuing justice on their behalf,” Hamilton police said through a news release.

“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.”