Man charged, bouncer hurt in ByWard Market
A man who was denied entry to a bar shot a security guard in the ByWard Market early Monday and fired on police who pursued him, Ottawa police said.
The man tried to gain entry to Room 104, a bar in the 100 block of Clarence Street, just before 1 a.m. but wasn't allowed in. He then fired several gunshots, striking a security guard twice in the leg, police said in a statement.
The shots sent bar patrons running, according to accounts of the shooting on social media and videos taken shortly afterward. One witness, who didn't want to be identified because she was still traumatized by the incident, said she was in an Uber leaving the Market when she heard shots and screams that sparked panic and prompted people to flee and hide.
Nearby officers rushed to the scene and pursued a suspect, who fired at one of them as he fled. A firearm was recovered.
Andre Green of Toronto appeared in court Monday, charged with attempted murder, pointing a firearm and several other firearms offences. He was not licensed to own restricted firearms, police said.
Ottawa paramedics said they took one man with gunshot wounds to hospital in stable condition. The security guard suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said, but was expected to undergo surgery.
“Central Division Investigators are asking any witnesses who have not yet come forward to contact them at 613-236-1222 ext. 5166 or the Guns and Gangs unit at 613236-1222 ext. 5050,” the police statement said.
It was the second violent incident in the ByWard Market over Labour Day weekend. On Saturday morning, a person was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a stabbing.
Ottawa police have responded to more than 50 shooting incidents this year.
The Market sees more homicides than any other area in the city, accounting for 15 per cent of the Ottawa total between 2010 and 2020, researchers at Algonquin College's victimology research centre noted.
It is unique because of its high density of bars, high rates of homelessness and substance use, which, according to the researchers, lead to more bar fights, fights between homeless people, or drug-related violence.
In many homicides in the Market, however, neither the victim nor the suspect live in the neighbourhood, the researchers noted.
Crime in the Market has led to greater police presence there and a push for the installation of security cameras.