In the month of March, police responded to 18 separate shootings across the city, resulting in thirteen people being injured. In 13 of the 18 shootings, there was potential for innocent bystanders, including children, to be harmed. In at least nine of the 18 shootings, the risk of someone innocent being struck increased significantly as the incidents occurred between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Of the 18 shootings, 10 appear to be targeted.
“These shootings give us plenty to be concerned about, especially when we see the number and severity of these incidents starting to reach levels we haven’t seen before,” says Acting Inspector Eric Stewart with the EPS Organized Crime Branch.
“One recent incident involved an altercation between two different groups in a major public corridor (97 Street between 129 and 137 Avenues). Two vehicles were travelling at high speeds while firing rounds at each other,” says Stewart. “We are lucky that no one was fatally injured in this situation.”
From January 1 to March 31, 2023, there were a total of 45 reported shootings which is a 45% increase from the 31 shootings which occurred at the same time last year (2022).