The WorldNewsTelevision News

Niagara Regional Police have arrested and charged three people after a targeted shooting and attempted abduction in Wainfleet Tuesday evening.

Taz Boga, Phil Perkins, Matt Ingram, Robbie Sherwood, Ontario, Canada

The incident happened around 5:20 p.m. in the area of Concession Rd. Six and Wellandport Rd.

Wainfleet is a rural township in southern Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. There is a small and growing tourist industry, near and on Lake Erie at the southern area of Wainfleet called Long Beach. Wainfleet is also the home of the Marshville Heritage Village, a living history museum, recreating life in Ontario c. 1850-1910.

Officers say four suspects abducted a 15-year-old boy from a home in Thorold and drove 30km to another address, where the suspects attempted to abduct another 15-year-old boy.

Investigators say one shot was fired but no one was hurt. The group of men ran from the area but the suspect vehicle got stuck in a ditch, stranding the four suspects.

Police asked Wainfleet residents in the area to shelter in place Tuesday night but the protocol has since been lifted.

Despite a prolonged search of the area, officers say the fourth suspect has not been located.

Investigators have not recovered the weapons used in this incident and believe the outstanding suspect may still be armed. Officers and K9 will be in the area Wednesday to continue their search.

“We can’t understate the seriousness of gun crimes in our community,” a police spokesperson said in an email to CHCH News.

“That being said, we do not believe there is an ongoing community threat stemming from this incident.”

Two 16-year-old boys – one from Pelham and one from Niagara Falls – have been jointly charged with:

Kidnapping – Contrary to Section 279(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
Use of a Firearm During the Commission of an Offence – Contrary to Section 85(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
Attempt to Commit an Indictable Offence (Kidnapping) – Contrary to Section 463(a) of the Criminal Code
Use of Firearm while Attempting to Commit an Offence – Contrary to Section 85(1)(b) of the Criminal Code
Due to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the identity of the two accused parties cannot be disclosed.

A 20-year-old man from St. Catharines has been charged with:

Kidnapping – Contrary to Section 279(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
Use of a Firearm During the Commission of an Offence – Contrary to Section 85(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
Attempt to Commit an Indictable Offence (Kidnapping) – Contrary to Section 463(a) of the Criminal Code
Use of Firearm while Attempting to Commit an Offence – Contrary to Section 85(1)(b) of the Criminal Code

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police at 905 688 4111, Option 3, ext. 1009318.