The entrance to the town of Wilno. (Wikipedia)
An alleged gunman has been arrested from Canada’s oldest Polish community after he initiated a lockdown that went all the way to Ottawa. Three people are dead after the attack in the town of Wilno, Ontario. The town is about 110 miles west of the Canadian capital Ottawa.
This is a breaking story so stay tuned for updates.
Here’s what we know so far:
1. Police Believe the Suspect Used a Shotgun
(Screengrab via CBC)
CBC reports that the shooting broke out between Barry’s Bay and Killaloe in Wilno. The first gunshots were reported at around 8:30 a.m. local time. A witness, Barb Johnston told CTV Ottawa what she saw on the morning of the shooting:
I heard sirens going by, but they seemed to stop right after they got to our house and I thought they just turned off the sirens. My husband said ‘well there’s three police cars outside here’ and he said he saw one police going down on his knees and then about five minutes after that I heard a gunshot…It was a rifle shot, but it wasn’t like sharp. It was more muffled.
She added that three people live in the house where the shots came from on Szczipior Road.
2. The Suspect Just Got Out of Prison
OPP Tactical Response unit gathering preparing to go out in search of Wilno Active Shooter #ottnews #cbcott http://t.co/kmbxEQ1OTi
One person, a 57-year-old male, has been arrested in relation to the shooting. He was arrested peacefully in Ottawa. All of the victims are female. The suspect just got out of prison and is known to local police, according to CBC’s Judy Trinh. In a tweet, Ottawa Police said that the suspect was headed to Ottawa. The law offices of Langevin Morris Smith in Ottawa were on lockdown in connection with the shooting.
3. Local Schools Were Locked Down as a Result of the Manhunt
Clinton Roche at Wilno Station & Country Kitchen says area of Wilno in lock down, says he saw Ornge fly in this AM.
The town was put on lockdown with residents advised to lock their doors and stay away from windows. Anybody who notices anything suspicious is asked to call 911. According to the Ontario Provincial Police Twitter account, local schools were also on lockdown but there was no risk to students.
4. A Massive Police Response Descended on the Small Canadian Town
CTV News reports that residents say there are “dozens of police vehicles speeding towards the community.”
5. Wilno Is Canada’s Oldest Polish Community
Wilno is Canada’s oldest Polish settlement. According to the town’s website, Wilno was settled in 1859 by immigrant’s from Poland’s Kashubian region. The month of August is considered a celebration month in the town.