Gunshots, fire call keep police busy

Reports of gunshots and a fire at separate addresses linked to biker gangs kept Winnipeg police busy on Tuesday.

In the first incident, police searched a Weston area home Tuesday morning after gunshots were reportedly heard in the area.

The sound of two quick shots was reportedly heard at an address in the 1500 block of Roy Avenue, between Cecil Street and Langford Street, at about 10:30 a.m.

The landlord said he was told by police that the tenant had links to the Rock Machine motorcycle club.

A number of streets in the area were blocked to traffic and police used a loud-hailer to try to get the attention of anyone inside the residence. Neighbours said they had heard gunshots several times in the past few weeks.

Geraldine, who lives in the neighbourhood, said the tenants were recently evicted from the home and that the place had been linked to bike gangs. "I do hope that whatever's going on between the gangs and that situation that it cools down and they realize that there are innocent people out there that could get caught in the crossfire," she said, asking that her last name be withheld for fear of retaliation.

Police said the report of gunfire there early Tuesday was unfounded.

Meantime police and fire crews responded to a call at a home in Elmwood Tuesday afternoon — the same address that was the target of a weapons raid last fall.

Court documents show the owner of the home on Mighton Avenue is linked to the Hells Angels motorcycle club.

Members of the Winnipeg police Tactical Support Team were at the home Tuesday afternoon, although there was no sign smoke or flames and firefighters were in standby mode.

The residence on Mighton was the subject of a search warrant and police raid last year. Police found weapons and three people — two men and a woman — were charged with several offences.