Kingston, Ont. searching for pickup after pedestrians shot by airsoft gun

Kingston Police are searching for suspects after pedestrians were shot with an airsoft gun from a moving vehicle. CTV’s Katie Griffin reports from Kingston.

Kingston Police issued a safety alert Tuesday afternoon after two pedestrians were shot by an airsoft gun from a moving vehicle.

In an email, Kingston Police tell CTV News the first shooting occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. at Russell Street and Patrick Street.

Officers responded to a second incident about five minutes later on Palace Road near Park Street after receiving reports of an individual being shot multiple times with an airsoft rifle.

The shootings involve a vehicle described as a dark coloured F-150 pickup truck with four passengers inside. Police say passengers seated in the rear of the vehicle were observed to be firing a “long gun-style” airsoft rifle, or BB gun, at pedestrians while the truck was moving.

Images of the suspect vehicle were released on the Kingston Police Facebook page and residents were sent an alert through the Alertable app.

The alert was lifted on Wednesday afternoon, though police have not announced arrests or charges.

Kingston Police spokesperson Anthony Colangeli says two victims, one at each location, were struck with projectiles.

One person at the first location was struck in the face with a projectile and taken to hospital to receive medical treatment. The other victim was struck multiple times.

Police say both victims suffered minor injuries.

In a media availability Tuesday afternoon, Colangeli said it’s still not known if the incidents were targeted.

“That’s still something that our investigators are looking at. Our members of the Criminal Investigations Division have taken over the investigation and they will be looking at all aspects of this,” he said.

Police say they do not believe there is further risk to the public but want residents to remain vigilant.

“I think we just want the community to be aware at this point. Since the incident at 12:35, we have not had any other incidents. We just want folks to be aware of the vehicle that was involved,” Colangeli said.

Colangeli says projectiles from airsoft guns have the potential to cause “long-impacting injuries,” including blindness if hit in the eyes.

Investigators continue to search for evidence, including dashcam and doorbell camera footage at the scenes.

“We’re canvassing right now in both areas, specifically for video, so we’re asking anybody who was in both of those areas around 12:30 to check dashcams, security cams, Ring doorbells,” Colangeli said.

Police are asking residents to be aware and report suspicious behaviour to police. If you believe you see the involved vehicle, do not approach and contact 911 immediately.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kingston Police at 613-549-4660 ext. 0 and reference incident # 26-14228

You can also provide tips anonymously by calling the Kingston Police general number 613-549-4660 ext. 0 and ask to remain anonymous.

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