Chief Bordeleau looking for solution to rising gun crimes

Ottawa police said 26-year-old Hussein Mohammad was wanted on four counts of attempted murder Thursday, July 19, 2012.

Ottawa's police chief is considering asking for tougher gun laws after another gang-related shooting Wednesday night.

A call came in just before 11 p.m. to the 1100 block of Fisher Avenue near the Central Experimental Farm.

Police said they found a bullet hole in a parked vehicle and two bullet casings nearby. but there were no injuries.

The Ottawa police’s Guns and Gangs unit said they’re seeing a concerning rise in gang-related shootings as fewer disputes are being solved with fistfights or knives.

"Our mandate right now is to get guns off the street and these perpetrators behind bars," said S-Sgt. Mark Patterson. "We don't like the escalation of violence happening in our city."

This shooting, the 27th in the city this year, comes a day after two shots were apparently fired during a high-speed chase in east Ottawa.

Police said 15 of those involved street gangs.

The Guns and Gangs unit is investigating Wednesday’s shooting and said they're looking for a suspect with gang connections.

Hussein Mohammad, age 26, is described as a five foot six inch tall, 140 pound Middle eastern man with medium-length brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information can call them at 613-236-1222 extension 5050.

Ottawa police chief, premier looking for solutions

With the fact there were 23 shootings in the City of Ottawa in 2011, police chief Charles Bordeleau said his officers are getting frustrated with a justice system that sees the same people committing the same crimes.

"Tougher penalties or holding people accountable for their actions - if that's what it takes then that's what we'd be calling for," he said.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said tougher penalties are only part of the solution.

"What more is it that we can do to have strong, safe communities?" he said at an appearance in Ottawa. "We're looking forward to hearing from people, police and community, they've all done a lot to help try and get violent crime down."

Bordeleau said his police force will be holding a symposium in the fall to talk about how to prevent youth getting involved with gangs, involving schools, parents and crime prevention efforts.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr