Burlington residents shaken by shooting
Suspects flee on foot after shots fired at townhouse
Several residents of a Burlington neighbourhood say they are still shaken following a shooting Wednesday morning.
Halton police were called to a townhouse complex on Woodview Road, near New Street, after receiving reports that a man had been shot.
One resident of the complex, who asked not to be identified, said she had just dropped her child off at daycare and returned to find police with assault rifles searching through the area.
“They were looking for someone or making sure everything was safe,” she said.
“It’s very upsetting. There are a lot of children and elderly in these houses.”
While the resident was scared by the incident, she said she wasn’t overly surprised, citing what she believes to be possible drug activity in the area. Another woman, who declined to give her name, said she had been in the bathroom with the fan running and did not hear the shooting or the police response.
“It was only after my children messaged me that a realized something was going on,” she said.
“I’ve lived in this neighbourhood for 30 years and I’ve never heard of anything like this happening. It’s frightening to think the place where you live is not as safe as you thought it was.”
Other neighbours said they witnessed police vehicles rushing to the area, but were surprised when told a shooting had taken place.
During a news conference at nearby St. Raphael’s Parish, Halton police media relations officer Const. Ryan Anderson said police received a 911 call reporting the shooting shortly after 9 a.m.
“Police responded and did locate one male with a gunshot injury. He was transported to hospital in serious condition,” said Anderson.
“Two suspects are said to have fled on foot and they are still outstanding at this time.”
No suspect descriptions are available.
Anderson said officers used a canine unit to track the fleeing individuals, but the trail ultimately went cold.
Members of the Halton police tactical rescue team also responded to the scene.
Anderson said it is too soon in the investigation to say why the shooting took place or whether it was targeted.
Residents in the immediate area of the shooting were initially told to shelter in their homes as Halton police searched for the suspects.
Anyone with dash camera video or home surveillance video from the area between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. is asked to contact the Burlington criminal investigations bureau at 905-825-4747, ext. 2316.