At 3 a.m. on Easter Sunday in 2000, Waliek Hamer was shot down at Grandma’s Burgers on South Salina Street. For 15 years, his killer went uncharged. On Thursday, Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick announced that they finally have the ballistic evidence to place the murder weapon in the suspect’s hand.
"We are here for two reasons. Number one is to bring justice to family of Waliek Hamer and the other is to bring hope to countless other families out there in the City of Syracuse and the County of Onondaga who are waiting for answers about the senseless death of their loved ones."
Fitzpatrick says Derek Wilson is being charged with second degree murder, a charge that could land him in prison for the rest of his life. He says Wilson allegedly drove to the late-night restaurant in a frenzy over his girlfriend’s outfit, blamed the uninvolved Hamer, and then shot him down in cold-blood. Hamer died soon after at Upstate University Hospital. He was 27 years old. Hamer’s brother, Ronnie, describes the feeling of justice 15 years later.
"It's a great feeling. That pressure was off of you. Knowing that whoever it was, was caught and not walking amongst us, shaking our hands."
Hamer’s mother, Entrendia Collins, was also glad justice finally came, but spoke of how sad she was when her son was taken from her.
"He hurt me real bad. I have never been hurt like that before. I have lost two children, but they were natural. This person just came up and killed my baby for no reason. This tore me apart."
Fitzpatrick says Detectives John Nolan and Bill Kiddle were dogged in their efforts to gather decades worth of evidence to indict Wilson. The shooter is currently serving time at the Albany Correctional Facility for drug offenses. But now, it appears the 35 year old will spend the rest of his days there.
Currently there are 66 open homicide cases and 9 prolong missing persons cases that the city of Syracuse is investigating. The oldest cases dates back to 1952. If the public has any information about any of the open homicide cases contact coldcasesquad@syracusepolice.org.
