Something serious is happening downtown at Jackson Square, and it’s unfolding right now inside and around the Hamilton Public Library’s Central Branch. I’m currently inside the library, where we are being held and not allowed to leave.
The doors have been locked, and no one is being let in or out. There are police officers stationed at every entrance, and outside, I can see cops armed with rifles, tactical gear, and long guns moving through Jackson Square mall and the surrounding area. It’s tense, confusing, and frankly terrifying. What the hell is going on?
Around mid-afternoon, people started noticing something wasn’t right. There were murmurs in the library — staff whispering among themselves, people checking their phones, and an eerie sense that something was very wrong.
Moments later, we were informed that the building was going into lockdown. No one explained why. The doors were closed, people were told to stay put, and security staff quickly moved around asking people to step away from windows and interior mall doors.
Then, I saw it — multiple police officers in bulletproof vests, some carrying long rifles, moving through the indoor mall space that connects Jackson Square. From where I’m sitting, you can see the commotion just outside the library doors. It’s like something out of a movie — except it’s happening here, in real life, in downtown Hamilton.
No official statement has come through yet, but word is spreading fast. Someone nearby said there was a shooting incident, and others claim they saw someone with a weapon near the food court or entrance.
We don’t know how many people might be involved, if anyone is hurt, or how long this lockdown will last. All we know is that heavily armed police are taking this very seriously, and everyone inside — shoppers, library patrons, staff — is being kept indoors for their safety.
Phones are buzzing with messages from friends and family checking in. People inside are scared, glued to social media for any real-time updates. The worst part is the silence from officials — no alarms, no intercom announcements, just the knowledge that something very wrong is happening only steps away.
The library staff are doing their best to keep people calm, but the tension is thick. Parents are trying to keep kids entertained. People are sitting quietly with their eyes on the doors. Others are trying to peek out windows without drawing attention.
Downtown Hamilton has seen its share of chaos before, but this feels different. This is not just a fight or a police presence — this feels like an active threat. We just want answers. We want to know what’s going on out there. We want to go home safely.
Until then, all we can do is wait, stay alert, and hope this situation is brought under control — fast. If you’re reading this, avoid the Jackson Square area. Something is going on downtown, and it’s serious.
