Police in Durham Region are investigating two separate shootings in Ajax and Pickering, where homes and vehicles were both hit by gunfire over the weekend. The first incident happened on Sunday near Chalmers and Blackburn crescents, near Harwood Avenue South and Kingston Road West, in Ajax. Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) said at around 2:30 a.m. officers responded to reports of possible gunfire in that area but were unable to locate any evidence or victims during their search. “Shortly thereafter, a resident reported damage to a home, garage, and two parked vehicles sustained by gunfire. Officers located several shell casings on the roadway in front of the residence,” they said in a news release. Investigators canvassed the area and determined that the shooting happened between 2 and 3 a.m. They say three adults were inside the home at the time. Hours later, just before 8:30 p.m., DRPS responded to a second similar incident near Shadybrook Drive and Edgewood Road, near Whites Road and Sheppard Avenue in Pickering. In this case, police say a victim reported hearing multiple gunshots outside their home and contacted them. “Upon arrival, officers located several shell casings on the roadway and discovered that the residence and two vehicles parked in the driveway had been damaged by gunfire,” they said. “Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the area and determined that a lone suspect, wearing black clothing, approached the residence on foot and discharged multiple rounds at vehicles parked in the driveway before fleeing the area on foot.” No injuries were reported in either shooting and investigators say they believe both are isolated incidents. These investigations are ongoing and police are asking anyone with video footage or further information about either shooting to contact the West Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 905-579-1520, ext. 1905.
