Innocent bystander caught in crossfire in NE Pineridge shooting: Calgary police
Posted Oct 27, 2023 2:56 pm.
Last Updated Oct 28, 2023 1:30 pm.
An innocent bystander was shot amid a targeted shooting in the northeast community of Pineridge Friday afternoon, Calgary police say.
Officers were called to an area along Pinemill Way across the street from Clarence Samson School just after 1 p.m. for reports of a shooting.
EMS tells CityNews they arrived shortly after and took the victim to hospital in stable, non-life-threatening condition.
“As best I can describe it, they were just in the area doing some community work. And then, unfortunately, just being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” CPS acting inspector Lon Brewster told reporters Friday.
“It’s purely just an innocent person that just, unfortunately, was caught in the crossfire.”
He explains the shooting was targeted and that the two parties know each other.
Police believe a suspect in a white SUV shot at the target outside of their vehicle. Brewster also adds two people were originally involved, with the intended target being outside of a vehicle. They were not injured.
“Our investigators are talking to one of those individuals right now. And we’re trying to determine … where the investigation will lead. But right now, I think it’s just a little too early for us to take any guesses,” Brewster said.
The Calgary Board of Education confirms that the school and Lester B. Pearson High School were put on lockdown. Police believe the school or any students were not in danger.
In addition, within a three-minute drive from where the shooting occurred, a partially burnt-out white Chevy SUV was found running.
Police believe that may have been the vehicle the suspect used to flee the scene. Brewster explains it has been towed and will be “forensically audited” to see if there is any evidence located inside.
“So an investigation like this, obviously, in the public eye, it’s concerning for all of us. So, we’ve put a lot of investigative resources into it over the course of the next coming days and weeks,” Brewster said.
“I can assure you they’re not going to rest until they can exhaust every investigative avenue.”
No arrests have been made at this time.
Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call them at 403-266-1234 or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
