A joyful wedding celebration in Ottawa’s south end turned into a nightmarish scene as two men lost their lives, and six others sustained injuries in a shooting outside a convention centre. The victims were attending the wedding when the incident occurred.
The Ottawa police responded swiftly to reports of gunfire in the 2900 block of Gibford Drive, located near Uplands Drive and Hunt Club Road, at approximately 10:20 p.m. on Saturday.
The shooting transpired outside the Infinity Convention Centre, casting a dark shadow over what should have been a joyous occasion. In a media release issued on Sunday morning, the police confirmed that the victims were indeed wedding guests at the convention centre.
Regrettably, the identities of the two men who lost their lives in the shooting have not yet been disclosed. The police have revealed that they were not residents of Ottawa.
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are urging witnesses to come forward with any information related to the incident. They specifically requested anyone who possesses cellphone footage, dashcam recordings, security videos, or any other recordings of the area between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to contact the Ottawa Police Service.
For those willing to assist in the investigation, the Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit can be reached at 613-236-1222, extension 5493.
This tragic event marks the 11th and 12th homicides in Ottawa for the year 2023, a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation. In a statement, the police expressed their deep concern, stating, “This violence is tragic and unacceptable. It is disturbing for our entire community.” They also indicated their efforts to provide support to the families of the victims by reaching out to community leaders during this difficult time.