Jeffrey Johnson left his West 4th Street bungalow around 6 a.m. on Dec. 6 — his normal routine — to go to work.

But before making it to his black Mercedes, parked on the street outside his home, he was shot.

More than half an hour passed before a neighbour came outside and found the 39-year-old father on the road, said Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk, of the major crime unit.

No one on the quiet cul-de-sac near Richwill Road reported hearing any gunshots.

The neighbour ran to alert Johnson's wife, who was inside the home where they lived with their two young children. The 911 call came at 6:38 a.m.

The nature of the shooting does not appear to be random. It appears that Johnson was deliberately targeted. But the big question is why?

Johnson was not known to Hamilton police and he has no criminal background.

The question for investigators: "Why would someone want him dead?" Bereziuk said.

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He said detectives have a few "investigative theories," but do not yet know the motive.

They are starting from "ground zero," speaking with family and trying to figure out what was going on in his life.

"Everybody is extremely sad," he said of the family.

Hamilton police released Johnson's name Monday afternoon, after giving the family time to reach family that was oversees.

Johnson, who went by Jeff, worked at a stamped concrete business in Hamilton.

"He was a normal working guy," Bereziuk said, adding that he was going to pick up a friend on his way to work that morning.

"But he never got there."

Neighbours described Johnson as a good family man often seen home playing with his kids. The family had just returned from Great Wolf Lodge.

The cul-de-sac is a safe place where neighbours were friendly and kids played freely.

One neighbour, John Bielic, said he left for work right after police believe Johnson was shot.

"I didn't see him," he said, adding that he felt bad that it took so long for someone to find him.

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He was in his backyard smoking before he left and said he didn't hear anything.

Police believe that whoever killed Johnson knew his routine; knew when he left the house.

"It obviously appears to us they knew his routine," Bereziuk said.

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An autopsy performed Saturday at Hamilton General Hospital found Johnson died as a result of being shot. Hamilton police won't say where or how many times he was shot.

Detectives believe a vehicle was involved in the homicide, but police have not yet released any description. Also unclear is whether there were one or more people involved.

Police have worked to gather surveillance video from around the community. The neighbourhood is near Mohawk College and includes many student rental properties.

Johnson's death marked the 13th homicide in Hamilton this year and 43rd shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Dave Brewster at 905-546-4067.

To provide remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

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