Two people were taken to hospital after a shooting incident in a Kitchener neighbourhood that, those who live there say, is often the site of drug activity.
Waterloo Regional Police were called to Oaten Park on Rutherford Drive, near Weber Street and Fergus Avenue, around 2 a.m. Friday.
“There were several altercations that took place, as we understand it at this point,” said police spokesperson Olaf Heinzel.
According to police, one person was shot multiple times and a second was struck with some sort of weapon.
Both victims were taken to hospital, but released later in the day.
Police say the incident was not a random attack, although they’re not yet sure if the victims knew their attackers.
No arrests have been made, and anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-650-8500 ext. 4499 or Crime Stoppers.
“Right now there’s a lot more questions than there are answers,” Heinzel said.
Detectives remained at Oaten Park for much of Friday, gathering evidence and speaking with neighbours.
According to some of those neighbours, drug activity is a regular occurrence in Oaten Park.
Leonard Bond says he sees groups of young men around the park’s playground equipment on a regular basis.
“You never know what they’re doing,” he said.
“This makes the families, with their kids, scared to go and use the equipment.”
A woman who lives in the area asked CTV News not to use her name, citing concerns about reprisals from the people involved in the shooting, but said many residents are frustrated with the situation.
“For the most part, I keep my kids in their fenced backyard for their safety,” she said.
Police say they’ve responded to four drug-related calls in and around Oaten Park in the past year, one of which resulted in an arrest.
