Shooting investigation in Waterloo, Kitchener ongoing as police reveal timeline of interaction
Suspect vehicle had stolen Ontario rear plate, previously seen with Quebec licence plate
Police in Waterloo region believe they now have a timeline for events that led officers to find a man suffering from gunshot wounds in a wooded area in Kitchener Saturday afternoon.
It's believed two cars were in the southbound lanes of Highway 85 Saturday afternoon just before 4 p.m. on Saturday, police said in an update Sunday. One was a newer model four-door grey Mercedes car with two passengers and the other was a 2016 grey Honda Civic.
In the area of the highway between Lancaster and Guelph streets, a shot was fired from the front passenger seat of the Mercedes into the Civic, police said.
Both cars continued at a high rate of speed on the expressway before exiting and driving to the area of Avalon Place in Kitchener, approximately 10 kilometres away where multiple shots were fired.
The Mercedes was last seen in the area of Barbara Crescent and Stirling Avenue heading toward Homer Watson Boulevard, police said.
A 23-year-old man was found in a wooded area near Avalon Place with gunshot wounds and taken to hospital. Police did not have an update on his condition on Sunday.
Police say the Mercedes had a stolen Ontario plate on the back and no licence plate at the front. Earlier in the day the car had been seen with a Quebec licence plate.
People in that area should expect to see a continued police presence as the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the interaction or who may have dashcam or surveillance video that could help with the investigation is asked to contact police by calling 519-570-9777 ext. 8191 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
'Disheartening and troubling'
In a statement released late Saturday night, Waterloo Regional Police Services Chief Bryan Larkin said this was the sixth shooting officers had responded to in the community this month. He called the shootings and other recent investigations into violent crimes involving weapons "disheartening and troubling."
So far this year, police have actively investigated 12 shootings where five people were injured. Three of these cases have been solved.
"These crimes have a significant impact on public safety and the wellness of everyone in Waterloo region," Larkin said in the statement.
"To those who continue to act recklessly and commit violent crimes in our region, our message is simple: we will continue to investigate and deploy resources to target organized crime and street gangs that will lead to the significant disruption of criminal activity while we work non-stop to reduce and prevent violence in the region."
Earlier this month, Michael Parkinson of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council told CBC K-W that one way to address violent crimes like shootings is to invest in upstream programs that have been proven to work to deter people from taking part in illegal activities.
In his statement Saturday night, Larkin said he will advocate to all levels of government "for continued investment in policing as well as upstream resources," to help the community.
"Recognizing the impact on neighbourhood safety and wellness, our community engagement and well-being unit partners with local neighbourhood associations, stakeholders and citizens to work towards building safer communities as well as ensuring long-term strategies for prevention," Larkin said.