Boy hurt in random drive-by shootings

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This article was published 17/10/2023 (748 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A shooter fired bullets at pedestrians — seriously wounding a teenage boy — while people in a van drove around and randomly confronted others Monday night in central Winnipeg, according to police.

The pair of drive-by shootings, in the Exchange District and Centennial areas, added to longstanding concerns about gun violence and youth crime in Manitoba’s capital.

“We’re thankful we’re not talking about a homicide,” Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said Tuesday.

He said two teens — a boy and a girl who may have gang links — are facing gun-related charges. Additional arrests are possible.

The victims were essentially minding their own business on sidewalks when they were confronted, Michalyshen said.

The first shooting happened near William Avenue and Kate Street, shortly after 7 p.m.

A male in a white van allegedly pointed a handgun at two people. Shots were fired while the victims were chased, said Michalyshen. No one was injured.

Vivian Ketchum said she heard about three shots while having tea in her home.

“It was scary. I was shaking,” she said Tuesday. “This was a nice evening. Kids were out and people were walking to the store.”

Ketchum said she instructed children to go inside to a place of safety.

Moments later, said police, the van’s occupants confronted three people near King Street and James Avenue, close to city hall.

The boy was hit when multiple shots were fired, said Michalyshen. “Our investigation, obviously, went from zero to 100 very quickly.’

Police said the first officers arrived within two minutes, followed by Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews.

Michalyshen said the boy was taken to hospital in unstable condition and later upgraded to stable.

About 45 minutes later, police found and seized an abandoned van on the 400 block of Toronto Street in the West End.

Tactical support team officers arrested a boy and a girl nearby and recovered a gun, police said. The motive remains under investigation by the major crimes unit.

“There’s no indication, at this point, why those (victims) were being targeted, but we certainly believe these incidents are isolated,” said Michalyshen.

He added the suspects might have ties to a gang and the drug trade, and the intent might have been to rob the victims.

“Things escalate, quite simply, just to intimidate and show power with respect to being in possession of a firearm,” the WPS spokesman said. “There’s no question we’re all aware that incidents like this could be a form of (gang) initiation, but by no means are we acknowledging that.”

People with information are asked to call police at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.

Police assured Winnipeggers the city is a safe place overall and there is nothing to suggest there is an ongoing risk to the public in connection with these incidents.

These types of shootings are unpredictable and not common, said Michalyshen.

“This can happen anywhere at any time… but this is a small percentage of individuals who are engaged in this type of a lifestyle,” he said. “That’s something as a community, as a whole, we have to continue to work on.”

Educator and activist Mitch Bourbonniere described the alleged details as unsettling and worrisome. “This could have been a lot worse.”

Winnipeg’s issues of gang activity and youth crime are well-documented. Michalyshen noted the WPS has lately reported more on young people getting involved in gang activity.

“We should all be quite concerned about it,” the police officer said.

Bourbonniere said there is always a need for more supports for at-risk youth.

“There will never be enough, and there will never be too much support for kids that are lost, disenfranchised or not being looked after,” he said. “This still needs to be on the agenda for our leaders.”

NDP premier-designate Wab Kinew, who is being sworn in Wednesday, has pledged to tackle violent crime and drug dealers.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said he has discussed crime and public safety matters with Kinew and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“I’ve commented before that the violent crime rate in Winnipeg is too high,” said Gillingham. “We have to do more to make sure our downtown is safe and all of our city is safe.”

The mayor said the city is working with community organizations to reduce crime. He hopes a new development plan to get more people living downtown will help to make the area safer.

The previous Tory provincial government pledged $10 million over two years for extra foot patrols, security cameras and other measures downtown.

On Saturday, police arrested five people, ages 14 to 19, who allegedly pointed pellet or BB guns at vehicles from a Hargrave Street parkade.

Earlier in the day, a man allegedly pointed a replica BB gun at security outside a nightclub on the 400 block of Main Street.

On Oct. 13, at least one gunshot hit a house on the 500 block of Simcoe Street.

— with files from Joyanne Pursaga

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching