The Calgary Police Service persistently pursues suspects connected to a recent Pineridge shooting incident, leaving a bystander innocently caught in the crossfire injured. The police received a distress call at around 1:15 PM from the 200 block of Pinemill Way N.E., alerting them of a man reportedly shot.
Upon arrival, officers determined that the shooting was a premeditated attack. The suspects, they discerned, had laid in ambush for their target. “As soon as the intended target left his residence, the assailants opened fire and pursued the man,” police disclosed. The man found refuge within a nearby household, around which several innocent bystanders had gathered.
During the shooting, a stray bullet struck an uninvolved man in his 40s. He was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
Calgary Police Chief Constable, Mark Neufeld, commented on the incident, expressing gratitude for the wounded bystander’s recovery and acknowledging the potentially tragic outcome.
The assailants fled the scene in a white SUV, later discovered by officers stationed at the 3100 block of 60 Street N.E. Investigators believe that attempts were made to obliterate crime-related evidence. They now reach out to the public, seeking any security or dashcam footage that may assist in unveiling crucial evidence.
From their findings, the police conclude the incident has significant links to organized crime. Superintendent Cory Daily echoed authorities’ concern over the brazen wave of violence which spilled over into a busy residential area, endangering not only their intended target but innocent civilians too.
While dismissive of a potential gang war, Neufeld concedes there is evidence of a conflict. He reminds the public of the risk of innocent civilians caught within dangerous proximities of such criminal feuds.
Addressing the growing concern of organized crime, Neufeld outlined CPS’s strategy of tackling lawlessness through coordinated offender management. This year, around 350 Calgary-based criminals linked to organized crime are under surveillance, with 83 of them facing legal charges.
CPS also strongly advocates for bail reform to impede the recurring freedom of high-risk suspects. The incidence of shootings, according to Neufeld, has fallen from last year’s statistics with this year recording 83 to date.
Guns obtained illegally, around 340 seized this year, originate from burglaries or smuggling from foreign territories, making them difficult to trace. Ghost guns and 3D-printed untraceable weapons constitute the newer, concerning developments in this underground operation.
Despite the disquieting incident, Neufeld assures Calgarians of their city’s enduring safety record. He underscores the crucial synergy between law enforcement and the community in maintaining peace and security.
The call for information about these incidents and individuals connected to Calgary’s underworld is continuous. Anyone who can assist is requested to reach out to the police through 403-266-1234. The plea extends to those with CCTV or dashcam footage surrounding the areas of:
- The 200 block of Pinemill Way N.E., between noon and 2 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 27;
- The 3100 block of 60 Street N.E., between noon and 2 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 27.
Through communal effort and intolerance to crime, Neufeld assures Calgarians that the city’s safety will be maintained and those responsible for such incidents expunged from public streets.
