Winnipeg Police have two men in custody and are also searching for a suspect after a pair of separate shootings in the city on Saturday.
Around 2:30 p.m., officers in the city’s Exchange district were on patrol when they heard several gunshots.
They spotted one man with a handgun chasing another man near Qu’Appelle Ave. and Carlton St.
Officers pursued the suspect, who tried to get rid of the weapon during the chase. He was safely taken into custody and the handgun was recovered.
Shortly afterwards, the other man was found in the back of a taxi in the 300 block of Portage Ave. with gunshot wounds and a firearm in his possession.
He was given first aid and taken to hospital in unstable condition, but was later upgraded to stable.
“2:32 in the afternoon, and there was gunfire in a busy area. It’s a very concerning incident for us,” Winnipeg Police constable Jay Murray explains.
Police say 27-year-old Khadar Yasim Nur of Winnipeg has been charged with:
– Discharge a Firearm with Intent
– Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
– Aggravated Assault
– Possession of a Firearm Knowing Serial Number has been Tampered With
– Careless Use of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition
– Pointing a Firearm
– Carrying Concealed Weapon Prohibited Device or Ammunition
– Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
He remains in custody.
The other man remains in hospital and also faces firearm-related offenses.
Police are asking anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed the incident to call their Major Crimes Unit.
Later, around 7:30 p.m., officers were called to the 1100 block of Arlington Street where another shooting had occurred.
Officers found an injured man in his 30’s with gunshot wounds once on scene.
The victim was taken to hospital in unstable condition but has also since been upgraded to stable condition.
Police haven’t disclosed what type of weapon was used in the second shooting.
“We don’t want to provide too much information that could tarnish or compromise (interviews with persons of interest),” Murray says.
The constable believes the two incidents aren’t related as investigators continue their inquest.
“It’s unfortunate shootings aren’t a rarity in Winnipeg. It’s something we continue to deal with year after year.”
“I don’t know how it’s been affected by the pandemic, but I don’t feel like it’s changed.”
No suspects have been named in the second shooting. Police are asking anyone with information that could help investigators to reach out to the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).