3 people injured in shooting in Kitchener strip mall: police

Three people suffered injuries after an alleged shooting occurred in a shopping plaza in Kitchener early Monday evening.

Waterloo Regional Police say they received multiple calls after gunshots were heard in a plaza on Fairway Road South near Wilson Avenue at around 5:40 p.m.

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Police say that three men were involved in an altercation when a fourth man pulled out a gun and fired it.

The suspect allegedly struck one of the men involved in the altercation as well as two women who were bystanders. They were all transported to hospital. One man was taken to an out of town hospital and remains in critical condition. Another woman remains in hospital with non-life threatening injuries while the third has been treated and released.

According to police, the suspect took off behind the building towards the LRT tracks.

Police told Global News that there was no evidence to suggest that there was a prior relationship between the shooter and the three men involved in the altercation.

The suspect is being described as black and he was wearing black casual pants, a black hoodie, white socks and was carrying a red backpack.

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Police are establishing a command post and are warning area residents to expect an increased police presence in the area as they investigate.

They are warning the public to not approach the suspect if they spot him.

“We would like to remind the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity or individuals. If they observe the suspect or someone who may be the suspect, contact police immediately,” a police spokesperson told Global News.

They are asking anyone with information to call 519-570-9777 ext. 8666 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.