3 people sent to hospital after Cornwall shooting involving biker gangs: police
Witness describes scene of one group of motorcyclists beating another
Arthur White-Crummey · CBC News · Posted: Jul 09, 2023
Three people were sent to hospital Saturday in what Cornwall police are calling a gang-involved shooting and what one eyewitness described as a terrifying attack pitting one group of bikers against another.
Cornwall Police Services spokesperson Stephanie MacRae said three people were injured but could not confirm the nature of their injuries. They are in hospital in stable condition.
“There was an altercation that occurred between motorcycle gangs,” she said. She did not name the gangs.
The shooting occurred in the area of Vincent Massey Drive and 14th Street W in Cornwall, according to police, who said officers responded at about 8:20 p.m.
MacRae said several people are in custody, though she would not say how many. The investigation remains ongoing.
“We can confirm that there’s no further risk to public safety,” she said, adding that it was an “isolated” incident between people who knew each other.
Barb Leggett, a commander with Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services, also said three people were transported to a hospital in Ottawa. She could not comment on their conditions.
An eye-witness, who CBC is not identifying to protect his safety, says he saw a serious altercation at the site before police arrived.
He described three or four motorbikers sitting near the Cora restaurant between about 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sometime after 8 p.m., a group of between eight and 12 other people arrived on motorbikes, he said, and immediately started beating the other four.
“There was a lot of blood,” he said.
Injured biker couldn’t get up: eyewitness
The man went to call 911 but noticed police were already arriving on the scene.
He said some of the motorbikers drove away. His view was partly obstructed by remaining motorbikes but he saw at least one person lying on the ground.
“He couldn’t stand up, so right away police came and start to give first aid,” he said.
He said he was unable to sleep after going home that night.
“This is scary,” he said. “This is something new from us … this is the first time I have seen something like this.”
Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale said the incident was shocking.
“We’re a safe community. We’re not used to seeing anything like this, and it certainly sends a shock through the entire community… People are worried, people are scared.”
Acting police chief Vincent Foy agreed that the incident was “alarming,” and rare for Cornwall.
“We have dedicated appropriate resources to actively investigate this incident and are working closely with our law enforcement partners,” he said in a statement.
Another man, who CBC is not naming to protect his safety, said he was nearby at the time of the shooting. He heard a sound like a gunshot, though he initially thought it was a bursting tire.
Police came within a minute or so.
“It was crazy,” he said. “I was kind of scared.”
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