Two injured in Sundowner parking lot shooting
Two people were taken to hospital after what police describe as a targeted shooting in the parking lot of a Niagara Falls strip club.
Niagara Regional Police said at approximately 1:52 a.m. Friday, officers were called to the Sundowner on Lundy’s Lane for a report of a shooting.
Officers, along with paramedics from Niagara Emergency Medical Services, responded to a report of multiple shots being fired in the parking lot of the adult entertainment club.
Police said at 1:52 a.m., a motorcycle entered the parking lot and the driver fired multiple shots from a firearm.
Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene at a high rate of speed, said police.
Officers located two males suffering from gunshot wounds. They were air lifted by Ornge ambulance to out-of-region hospitals for further care. Police said both victims were in serious condition at the time of their transport.
In the morning, NRP Const. Phil Gavin said police were not releasing the two victims’ relationship to the Sundowner at the time, but in the afternoon described them as employees.
He said police will not release the location of where the victims were transported to, “especially in a case where the suspect is still outstanding.”
“In doing so we could put the victims at further risk.”
On Friday afternoon, Gavin said one of the employees remains in hospital.
“The other employee of the Sundowner has been released and is recovering out of hospital,” he said.
When The Niagara Falls Review first called the Sundowner Friday, the person who answered the phone said there wasn’t anyone available to comment.
When The Review called back later, a different person said: “We don’t have really much to say because we don’t have any information. Niagara Regional Police do.
“The manager that’s in right now is the day-time manager and he wasn’t here at night.”
Detectives are reviewing video and speaking to witnesses.
Police said they hope to release a suspect and motorcycle description in the near future.
Gavin said they don’t know the identity of the motorcyclist, but he was wearing dark clothing and a dark helmet.
“The bike was a dark-coloured sport bike,” he said.
The investigation has led detectives to believe this was a targeted incident.
Police are requesting any businesses, residences or taxis in the area between 1:45 a.m. and 2 a.m. review their video surveillance/ dashboard cam for suspicious activity.
Police ask anyone with information to call Det. Sgt. Rich Gauthier at 905-688-4111, ext. 9315.