Calgary police have recently investigated two separate shootings in the city’s northeast, confirming they are not linked to each other or to extortion activities targeting the South Asian community.
Details of the Shootings
The first incident occurred around 10 p.m. on a Tuesday when police received reports of a man with a gunshot wound at the Peter Lougheed Centre. Following their investigation, officials stated that the victim, a man in his twenties, had been shot in a parking lot at the Genesis Centre after an altercation. Fortunately, he is currently in stable condition and no arrests have been made. Authorities are actively seeking one suspect.
In another occurrence on Wednesday at approximately 5:30 a.m., shots were fired at a residence in the 200 block of Martindale Boulevard N.E. Homeowners reported a bullet hole in their window, but police confirmed that no injuries resulted from this incident. The number of individuals involved remains unknown.
Police Statement
Calgary Police Service Inspector Darren Smith addressed the media, stating, “At this point, there’s nothing to indicate that it is extortion-related.” This statement came in response to concerns regarding a recent rise in violence linked to extortion tactics.
Shooting Statistics
- In 2023, Calgary has reported a total of 20 shootings, with 6 classified as extortion-related.
- In the previous year, a total of 54 shootings were reported, marking a 31% decrease from 2022.
- Of those 54 incidents, 8 were confirmed as extortion-related.
Inspector Smith emphasized the seriousness with which the Calgary Police Service treats all firearm-related incidents. He noted a troubling trend: “There are many more firearms now which our officers are seizing from vehicles and stolen properties compared to a decade ago.” This increase in firearms heightens their concern regarding the ongoing patterns of gun violence.
