Home involved in shooting of 11-year-old girl was targeted: Police

Acting Regina Police Chief Lorilee Davies said investigators believe the home was targeted involving the shooting of a 11-year-old girl, but the public is no longer at risk.

“For people in the community, I would reassure them that it is a safe neighbourhood,” she said. “That there aren’t ongoing safety concerns.”

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Davies would not reveal certain details about the investigation, including what sort of gun was shot, and if it was recovered by police or not.

She would not reveal if the shooting was related to drug or gang related activity.

“We don’t see these types of things happen in Regina on a daily basis, thankfully,” Davies said. “We are not immune to gun crime, unfortunately.”

During a complex investigation like this, Davies said investigators will spend hundreds of hours sifting through footage for any evidence that may help.

“Some of it is very tedious, as you can imagine, sifting through hours of video looking for that one little piece that might help,” she said.

Davies said more details of the investigation will be revealed in the next few weeks.

The Regina Police Service (RPS) have arrested two men in connection with a firearms offence in August that left an 11-year-old girl seriously hurt.

“Over the past five weeks, investigators have worked diligently to locate and hold the offenders accountable,” police said in a statement.

Last night, two suspects were taken into custody and charged in relation to the incident.

Two men, ages 20 and 18, have both been charged with attempted murder, reckless discharge of a firearm, conspiracy to commit murder, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized and possession of stolen property over $5,000.

The 18-year-old is also facing two charges of possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order.

What happened?

Officers were called to a home in the 1000 block of Edgar Street shortly after 2 a.m. on Aug. 11. When they arrived, an 11-year-old girl was found inside the home suffering from a gunshot wound.

She was taken to hospital.

According to investigators that keep in touch with the victim’s family, the 11-year-old girl is continuing to recover from her injuries.

In the initial release, the investigation showed that multiple gunshots were fired at the home from outside.

Gunshots were marked with tape on the home by police. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

‘Everyone is terrified’: Eastview neighbours still shaken

Fear has been lingering in Regina’s Eastview neighbourhood since the 11-year-old girl was shot.

980 CJME spoke to a dad living in the area, Mohammad Nadeen, hours before the arrests were made.

“We’re still scared, especially when it gets dark,” he said.

He said his kids don’t feel safe being outside since the shooting.

“They used to go out and play in the daytime at the park, but they are still scared,” Nadeen said. “The kids in the evening after the school day used to play outside all the time, but now we only see one or two kids there (at the park).”

Another neighbour spoke to 980 CJME through an open window from inside his home and did not want to share his name due to safety concerns.

“If someone knocks at your door, we do not open it. We do not go and visit neighbours here; everyone is terrified and trying to be safe,” he said.

He said the fear felt in the neighbourhood is noticeable, especially at night.

“It is terrifying, people lost confidence going out in the evening and night, it has literally become impossible,” he said. “After 6 o’clock, it’s ghostly here, nobody likes going out.”

He said a lot of houses along the street have kids, and his biggest concern is their safety.

“Who wants to raise a kid in a place like this? It is becoming terrifying to be honest,” he said.

He said there needs to be more of a police presence in the neighbourhood.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Gillian Massie and 980 CJME’s Abby Zieverink