A teenager is dead and two others are injured after an overnight shooting in a popular tourist area of Niagara Falls.
The shooting was reported on Clifton Hill near the Great Canadian Midway at around 12:30 a.m. Friday, Niagara Region Police said.
Niagara police Staff Sgt. Steve Magistrale said all three of the people who were shot were boys under the age of 18, one of whom was killed.
The two other victims were taken to a local hospital by paramedics and have since been transported to out-of-town hospitals, Magistrale said.
One of the victims is now reported to be in critical condition, while the other is stable.
In a press release, Niagara police said a blue Ford F-150 Super Crew 4-door pick-up truck was seen fleeing the area.
“It had dark tinted windows, a tri-fold tonneau cover, and a moonroof. The vehicle has visible damage and is missing a door handle and the front licence plate,” police said.
Magistrale said at this time it is not clear the nature of the involvement of those in the vehicle, but said officers would like to identify and speak to the occupants.
“So anybody in the community that has information that can assist us in in either one, identifying the vehicle or the occupants are greatly encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police,” he said.
The vehicle was last seen heading west on Lundy’s Lane toward the Montrose Road and Highway 420 area.
Magistrale said officers are also working to interview those who were at the scene at the time of the shooting.
He said police are also working with the victims’ families. Their identities have not yet been released.
Magistrale said officers believe the shooting occurred inside the midway.
“But exactly where inside the midway and the type of interaction that led to this escalation of violence – at this point we’re still trying to uncover,” he said.
Niagara police’s homicide unit is now investigating and officers remain at the scene.
Magistrale said this type of violence “really shakes the community,” but said there is no evidence to suggest there is an “ongoing threat of violence.”
“But really to say at this point who was targeted or not — it’s really, we’re really in the infancy of this investigation — but that’s truly one of the most important questions that we’re going to try to answer is why this happened,” he said.
Roads are expected to be closed in the area for several hours.
Meanwhile, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said on Twitter that he was “saddened to learn of the tragic incident.”
“We are comforted knowing our @NiagRegPolice are investigating and our hearts go out to all involved, especially the victims and their families today,” he said.
The Great Canadian Midway will remain closed until Monday, officials said.
-With files from Global News’ Catherine McDonald and Hannah Jackson