A Hamilton man is charged with the first-degree murder of Daniel Musafiri — a 29-year-old who was shot and killed after leaving a billiards hall in December 2023. 

Police said Thursday they had charged Erik Kalanyos, 29, who already was in jail awaiting sentencing for human trafficking. 

“For more than two years, Daniel’s family has carried the unimaginable weight of losing a loved one to violence,” said Det. Sgt. Mike Ebert of the homicide unit, at a news conference.

“While no arrest can undo the pain of this loss, we hope this development provides some measure of relief to Daniel’s family as the matter proceeds through the courts.” 

The Congolese community, which Musafiri was part of, was “very saddened by his murder” and was starting to give up hope an arrest would be made, said Nancy Muida, president of the Congolese Community of Hamilton organization.

“The whole community really wants to congratulate and thank the effort that the police put into the case,” she told CBC Hamilton in French.

Musafiri left Boulevard Billiards near York Boulevard and Queen Street N. at about 10:45 p.m. on Dec. 29, 2023. In the parking lot, he was confronted by someone driving a black Dodge Challenger Hellcat and they briefly exchanged words. 

Musafiri was shot and the suspect fled, driving up Queen Street, police said at the time. Musafari was taken to hospital but didn’t survive. 

Police weren’t able to immediately determine who the driver was, although Kalanyos was a suspect “early on,” said Ebert. 

During a different investigation, police discovered new information and intelligence that led to the murder charge against Kalanyos. They had considered if the shooting was related to the gang the Hot Mali Squad, but that theory has since been ruled out, said Ebert. 

At the time of the shooting, police were “actively looking” for Kalanyos for an alleged parole violation, said Ebert. 

He was on parole in relation to a robbery, according to police. 

‘A part of my heart died’

That night “completely shattered” the life of Musafiri’s mother Mosengo Immaculee, she said in a statement Thursday. 

“No words can truly describe the pain of a mother losing her child,” she said. “A part of my heart died the day my son was taken from me.” 

In his obituary, Musafiri was said to have a “charismatic presence, golden smile” and contagious laugh. 

While the Congolese community feels some relief after the arrest, Musafiri’s death remains a loss that can never be replaced, said Muida.

“I know that [Daniel’s] family will never be 100 per cent comforted,” she said. “May our God be able to give them that relief and that peace.”