Eleven Shots Fired in Downtown Shooting, One Hospitalized

A shooting incident in downtown London has left one individual hospitalized after eleven shots were fired early on September 3, 2023. Video footage reviewed by The Free Press reveals the rapid succession of gunfire, which occurred around 02:57 a.m. near the intersection of John and Richmond streets. Local authorities reported that the injured person was dropped off at the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Police discovered evidence of a firearm being discharged following multiple reports of gunfire. The Ontario Provincial Police played a crucial role by stopping a vehicle at an undisclosed location outside the city, leading to the detention of six individuals. As of Sunday evening, authorities were still searching for another suspect connected to the shooting.

Residents expressed their anxiety over the incident, highlighting an unsettling trend of gun violence in the area. Chelsey Dawson, whose indoor camera captured the sound of the shots, stated she was out of town during the incident but was disturbed by the proximity of the shooting to her home. “It’s definitely unnerving to think that someone just discharged a firearm so close to a bedroom window,” she remarked. Dawson shared her video footage with police and participated in an interview regarding the event.

Concerns about safety in the downtown area are growing, particularly as the Labour Day weekend brought an influx of post-secondary students returning to the city. Dawson noted, “The area seems to have become even more popular after the COVID-19 pandemic.” She compared the current atmosphere to that of Broughdale Avenue, a street known for student gatherings during homecoming celebrations.

Shelbie Kerr, a resident of downtown London for the past decade, voiced her worries about the rise in gun violence in the city. “It’s a concern just because it’s been happening a lot more often,” she said. As of now, London has recorded 15 incidents of gunfire this year, surpassing the total number for all of 2022. Kerr added, “It wasn’t an issue before, and I don’t know why, but just all of a sudden, it just feels like it’s really taking off now.”

No updates regarding charges related to the weekend shooting have been released by London police as of Monday afternoon. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to contact London police at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).