Hamilton police have issued a warrant for a suspect in an attempted murder and urge members of the public to call 911 if they spot him on the street.

Jonathan Shane Beaver, 34, is wanted in connection to a brutal stabbing on Thursday evening.

Beaver, police said in a Friday news release, is "considered dangerous" and should not be approached. 

At around 8:45 p.m., police say, three males beat and stabbed a 35-year-old Hamilton man in the parking lot of Centre Mall. 

The suspects fled the scene before officers arrived. According to witnesses, two of the men drove away in a white Acura sedan, while one fled on foot.

Emergency crews rushed the victim to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

No other victims have been identified, but police believe the victim was targeted and that he knew his attackers. 

The Hamilton Police Service's homicide unit is asking anyone with information on Beaver's whereabouts to contact Det. Const. Jason Cattle at 905-546-4123 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.