A 39-year-old faces two counts of attempted murder following a shooting incident that took place on Wellington Street East Monday afternoon.
As officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 1500 block of Wellington Street East, they found the accused outside a residence with a gun, says a news release issued by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.
Two gunshot victims at the scene were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Full text of the news release follows:
On Feb. 6, 2023, officers in Patrol Services charged a 39-year-old with attempted murder while using a firearm. The name of the accused is not being released in order to protect the identity of the victims.
Around 2:30 p.m., officers assigned to an ongoing Dynamic Patrol initiative responded to reports of gunfire at a residence in the 1500 block of Wellington Street East. When officers arrived, they observed the accused outside the residence with a gun. Officers demanded the accused drop the weapon. The accused dropped the weapon and was arrested. A shotgun was seized.
Officers found two people, one outside the residence, and one inside the residence, with gunshot wounds. EMS attended and both were transported to hospital with serious injuries.
This is believed to be an isolated incident, as the accused and the two victims are known to each other.
The accused is charged with:
• Attempted murder while using a firearm x2
• Using a firearm while committing an offence x2
• Careless use of a firearm, weapon or ammunition x2
• Pointing a firearm x2
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose x2
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Possession of a loaded firearm
• Discharge firearm with intent x2
• Assault with a weapon x2
• Aggravated assault x2
• Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order x4
The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.