Hamilton homicide detectives are investigating a death in the downtown core. 

Police say they were called to 28 Madison Ave at 9:42 p.m. Thursday, responding to a reported shooting.

Hamilton EMS commander Jim Summers said paramedics arrived to find a victim of multiple shot wounds who had deceased before they arrived. K-9 units were scene around the downtown home where the man was pronounced dead at the scene and police secured the area for the investigation. 

The shooting marks the city's first homicide of the year. 

A post-mortem examination was to be conducted Friday to determine the cause of death. The victim has been identified but police say his name will not be released until all his family members have been notified.

They say the investigation is in its preliminary stages but more information is expected to be released later.

More to come.

With files from the Canadian Press.