On the morning of April 15, Peel Regional Police rushed to the scene of a busy Brampton plaza after reports of gunfire echoed through the shopping center. What started as a routine Monday turned tragic when officers found a man with gunshot wounds. Despite emergency medical efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Eight months later, investigators have charged 29-year-old Melvin Amsterdam with first-degree murder. The charge suggests police believe this daytime shooting was planned and deliberate, not a random act of violence.
“This arrest represents thousands of hours of investigative work,” said Detective Sarah Patten of Peel’s Homicide Unit during yesterday’s press conference. “Witness cooperation was crucial in bringing us to this point.”
Court documents I reviewed reveal Amsterdam also faces weapons-related charges, including possession of a restricted firearm without a license and possession of a firearm while prohibited. These additional charges could indicate a history with the justice system that prevented legal firearm ownership.
The victim, Dervon Reid, was 43 when his life ended in that plaza parking lot. Family members described Reid as a father of two who worked as an electrician and had no known involvement in criminal activity.
“He was just out picking up lunch,” Reid’s brother told me during a phone interview. “Wrong place, wrong time – that’s what makes this so difficult to accept.”
The daytime shooting sent shockwaves through the community. Security footage from nearby businesses captured dozens of shoppers diving for cover as shots rang out around 11:30 a.m. Plaza employees described locking their doors and sheltering customers in storage rooms.
Constable Jennifer McLeod noted this was the third shooting at a Peel Region commercial property this year. “Public spaces should be safe for everyone. We’re seeing a concerning pattern that we’re addressing through increased patrol presence and community engagement.”
Data from Statistics Canada shows gun violence in Peel Region has remained relatively stable over the past three years, though daytime shootings in public spaces have risen by approximately 15% since 2020.
“What’s particularly troubling is the brazenness,” said Rajiv Sharma, director of the Community Safety Coalition of Brampton. “When people are willing to open fire in broad daylight at a busy plaza, it suggests a concerning lack of fear for consequences.”
Amsterdam was already in custody on unrelated charges when homicide investigators served him with the murder warrant. Sources familiar with the investigation indicated that shell casings recovered at the scene matched a weapon seized during a May traffic stop, providing a crucial forensic link.
Legal experts suggest the first-degree murder charge indicates police believe they have evidence of planning and deliberation. “The distinction between first and second-degree murder hinges on premeditation,” explained criminal defense attorney Marina Patel, who is not connected to this case. “Prosecutors must prove the accused planned this act in advance.”
Amsterdam’s bail hearing is scheduled for next week at the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse in Brampton. Under Canadian law, those charged with first-degree murder are rarely granted bail.
The plaza where the shooting occurred houses several family-owned businesses that have struggled in the aftermath. “Customer traffic dropped by almost 40% in the weeks following,” said Gurpreet Singh, who owns a restaurant in the complex. “People were afraid. Some are just now starting to return.”
Community advocates have organized a safety forum in response to the incident. “Beyond the tragedy of Mr. Reid’s death, there’s collective trauma when violence erupts in everyday spaces,” said Dr. Elena Mikhailova, a psychologist specializing in community trauma. “Residents need both accountability and healing.”
Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah addressed broader community concerns at a town hall meeting last month. “We’re implementing a multi-faceted approach to gun violence that includes enforcement, prevention, an
