Top cop vows his force will get to bottom of St. Thomas shooting

Officers responding to the shooting at a home on Palm Street at about 6 am Saturday found a man who had been shot in the torso, St. Thomas police said.

“Our frontline officers, supported by other emergency responders, worked to preserve the life of a male victim that had sustained life-threatening gunshot injuries,” acting police chief Marc Roskamp said in a statement.

The man was taken to hospital, where he remained in critical condition, he said. Police believe the shooting was targeted and said there was no risk to public safety.

Describing the shooting as a “rare occurrence” for the city, Roskamp said police officers from various units are working on the investigation.

No arrests had yet been made in the case.

“We will not waver in our resolve to find those responsible for this violent crime,” he said.

Several neighbors said the early-morning shooting drew a heavy police presence, including tactical officers and a search dog team, to a residence on Palm Street. They said a family with teenagers has lived in the home for a few years.

In his statement, Roskamp said the safety of the force’s officers and the public is his top priority.

“The increase in gun violence in Ontario is alarming and I will continue to advocate and do all that is necessary to expose the inadequacies of legislation that compromises public safety and the health and safety of all (St. Thomas) police officers that, without hesitation , serve our community every day,” he said.

In the coming days, officers will call on the community to support their efforts in the investigation, Roskamp added.

“We owe that to the victim and his family,” he said. “We will continue to focus intently on our public safety priorities and bring those responsible for this crime to justice.”