WATCH ABOVE: Three shootings on the holiday Monday in three separate locations may all be connected. Kendra Slugoski has more on the fear and frustration.
EDMONTON – Two vehicles carrying young children were hit by bullets Monday, when Edmonton police were called to investigate three separate, but possibly connected, drive-by shootings. They all took place in north-central Edmonton.
The first happened around 4:30 p.m. near 118 Avenue and 88 Street in the Alberta Avenue neighbourhood. Police said two men, believed to be in their 20s, were standing on a sidewalk along 118 Avenue when shots were fired from a nearby vehicle.
Abdul Samatah, who works at the nearby Zarah Salon, said his clients were scared and scrambled for cover. One of the injured men asked Samatah to call 911.
“I ran and closed the door. The guy just ran back here and said ‘call 911 for me’ and I called the police,” he said. “It was kind of scary.”
The men were taken to hospital by EMS with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
Two uninvolved vehicles carrying young children were also hit by gunfire.
“There were several people in the area at the time of the shooting that thankfully were not hurt,” said Staff Sgt. Greg Laycock, Edmonton Police Service. “We’re counting on these witnesses to contact police with information about the incident.”
The suspect vehicle drove away, heading east on 118 Avenue. More gunshots rang out a few hours later, seven blocks south of the original shooting. Police said around 9:15 p.m. a restaurant and a parked vehicle near 94 Street and 111 Avenue were hit by bullets. The person inside the vehicle was not hurt.
Police tape could be seen blocking off the Midnight Café at 9403 111 Ave., which was riddled with bullet holes.
Less than half an hour later, police responded to 125 Street and 118 Avenue where shots were reportedly fired at the back of a business. Police said a vehicle in the alley was struck, but no one was injured.
Police believe all three shootings may be connected. None are believed to be random. As of Tuesday morning, no arrests had been made.
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