Police in St. Catharines are searching for two armed suspects after three people were shot in broad daylight on Thursday afternoon.
Niagara Regional Police said they were first called to a “developing shooting incident” in the Queenston and Geneva streets area, northwest of the city’s downtown at 3:43 p.m.
Niagara Regional Police Const. Phil Gavin said three victims suffered gunshot wounds. Two were flown to Toronto trauma centres, in critical or life-threatening condition. One victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is being treated at a local hospital.
Gavin confirmed detectives are looking at multiple shooting scenes in the vicinity of Queenston and Geneva streets.
Late Thursday, police said they were scaling back the crime scene and that most residents would be able to return to their homes.
“We will be scaling back crime scene in the Queenston/Niagara St area,” Gavin said in a tweet. “Evacuees can now return to their homes. We are still maintaining 3 scenes over night. 2 residences pending warrants and the original shooting scene. The suspects remain outstanding.”
Earlier in the day, Gavin said there was a full police response to the situation.
“The full strength of the Niagara Regional Police is involved right now. This is receiving priority and we're doing everything we can to resolve this situation safely for everyone involved,” Gavin said.
Police at the scene had handguns drawn and cordoned off the area. Multiple units, including a tactical squad and K9 unit, responded to the incident.
Officers were on the scene within five minutes of the first 911 call.
Police are not treating the incident as an active shooter situation, but do believe the suspects are armed.
Both are described as males, black, and between the ages of 19 and 23.
“An active shooter is a trigger being pulled when we’re on scene and that’s not happening right now,” Gavin said. “The shooting that did take place was over when we arrived on scene. Is it in active investigation? Yes, it’s an ongoing investigation.”
Gavin said the incident was extremely rare for the community of about 130,000 people.
“This is a very impactful situation on the City of St. Catharines,” Gavin said. “All you guys being here is a testament to that. A multiple shooting of three people is not something that happens thankfully very often, and it’s got our attention.”
Police said it’s not yet clear if the shooting was targeted or if the victims knew each other.
While rare for the area, Gavin said the shooting is nonetheless concerning.
“I think it’s safe to say that when multiple shots ring out in a densely populated area with three victims, that’s an element of safety concern,” he said.
Police said the area sees lot of foot, bike and vehicular traffic and officers are looking to speak with any witnesses who were in the area.
