Four people are in custody as Victoria police investigate a targeted early morning shooting on the 500 block of Constance Ave. in Esquimalt.
No one was injured as multiple gunshots were fired in the area at about 1:45 a.m. Monday morning, striking vehicles and leaving shell casings behind.
VicPD believes the shooting to be targeted, as all of the people involved, shooters and targets alike, know each other, said VicPD communications co-ordinator Bowen Osoko.
“(The incident is) not a danger to the neighbourhood, which I know sounds a bit bizarre, given there was a shooting in the neighbourhood. But this isn’t a random event, as far as we’re able to tell at this time.”
Osoko said there is no indication yet the shooting was related to drugs.
Police aren’t yet saying what specifically happened on Constance Ave., but do say only vehicles were struck by bullets. Osoko couldn’t say whether there were people in the vehicles at the time. The investigation shut down the street for much on Monday morning.
“It’s led to a larger investigation, obviously, because you start shooting up Esquimalt we’re going to start looking at why,” Osoko said.
Osaka said the shell casings found at the scene suggest there was a handgun involved.
The four in custody are known to police but are not yet facing any charges. Osoko said the department will be considering charges and there will likely be updates in the case in the days and weeks to follow.
