THUNDER BAY -- A city councillor is expressing frustration after a shooting at a residence at the intersection of Dease and McKenzie streets on Tuesday night that left a male victim in hospital in stable condition.
McKellar Coun. Brian Hamilton, in a Facebook statement posted on Wednesday morning, said he is beyond frustrated with the situation.
"Police have known about this house for months. Neighbours have been organizing and trying to work with police and bylaw to address the rampant issues at this address," Hamilton writes in a post, first reported on by TVO.
"There have been arrests. Apparently not enough. This is similar to the Algoma St. murder where drug deals/prostitution went unchecked for months before the occupant was finally murdered."
Hamilton went on to say he's not sure where the answer lies, but if local police need help, the city needs to find that help.
"Not just money, but advocacy at the federal level. We also need to encourage cooperation between neighbours, police agencies and the city," Hamilton says. "Events like this are traumatizing, isolating and highlight the need for serious attention at the street level."
Police, in a release issued on Wednesday morning, said they received a report of a shooting at a home located at 139 Dease St. at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday night. Upon arriving at the scene, they located the male victim, who was transported to hospital for treatment. The male is from the Southern Ontario area.
Police contained the scene and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Investigators are asking anyone who might have been driving in the area of McKenzie Street, from Cumming Avenue to Pacific Avenue between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Tuesday who may be in possession of dash-camera video. Police are also looking to residents in the area who might have active surveillance cameras on their property.
"We do need the assistance from the public in these investigations," said Det. Sgt. Tracey Lewis with Thunder Bay Police Service. "In these investigations, everybody in our community knows there has been an increase in violence and involving firearms, which [puts the community at another level of concern that we are quite aware of."
Police say they do not believe this was a random incident and believe it has ties to the drug trade.
Hamilton urges the public to contact all members of city council to express their concern.
"This isn't a ward issue. This is the front line and requires the attention of the entire community."
Anyone with information is asked to phone police at 684-1200.
A community meeting will be held Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the Newlife Fellowship Church to allow people in the area an opoprtunity to express concerns regarding incidents in the neighbourhood.
This story has been updated to include confirmation from police that a shooting took place, as well as details about the victim and the ongoing investigation.
NEWS RELEASE
THUNDER BAY POLICE SERVICE
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Thunder Bay Police Service officers with the Uniform Patrol Branch were dispatched to 139 Dease Street around 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8 following reports of a shooting that had just occurred.
When police arrived they located a lone male victim and confirmed that a shooting had taken place. The victim was transported to the Thunder Bay Regional health Sciences Centre where he is now in stable condition.
Officers contained a scene and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The investigation is now a major case and involves members of the service’s Major Crime Section.
Investigators are now looking for anyone who may have been driving in the area of Mckenzie Street, from Cumming Street to Pacific Avenue, around the hours of 9 and 10 p.m. who may have dash camera footage. Police are looking for residents in this area who may have active surveillance cameras on their property.
Residents and motorists who may have footage that could assist in this investigation are urged to call police at 684-1200.
At this time police do not believe the shooting was a random occurrence, and suspect it has links to the drug trade.
