A London man is recovering in hospital after being shot multiple times with a BB gun during a home invasion in the city’s east end Thursday night.
According to the London Police Service, two men entered a residence in the 800-block of Shelborne Street uninvited at approximately 8:20 p.m. on October 16. One of the suspects then fired a BB gun at the victim, striking him several times with pellets.
The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital by paramedic services after the two suspects fled the scene on foot. Police responded to the residence after being contacted following the suspects’ departure.
Investigators have determined that one of the suspects was known to the victim, indicating this was not a random incident. However, police have not yet located either of the two suspects involved in the attack.
The incident has prompted an ongoing investigation by London police, who are asking anyone with information to come forward. The attack occurred in a residential area of east London, raising concerns about home security in the neighbourhood.
BB guns, while not considered firearms under Canadian law, can still cause serious injury when fired at close range. The pellets can break skin and cause bruising, particularly when multiple shots are fired as appears to have happened in this case.
The fact that one suspect was known to the victim suggests this may have been a targeted attack rather than a random break-and-enter. Police have not released details about the relationship between the victim and the known suspect, or what may have motivated the assault.
Shelborne Street is located in London’s east end, an area that has seen various police incidents over the years. The residential street is primarily made up of single-family homes and smaller apartment buildings.
The investigation remains active as police work to identify and locate both suspects. The London Police Service has not released descriptions of the suspects or indicated whether any weapons were recovered from the scene.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Information can also be submitted online anonymously to London Middlesex Crime Stoppers.
This incident serves as a reminder for residents to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity to police. The case has been assigned reference number 25-103295.
The victim’s current condition and expected recovery time have not been disclosed by police, though his injuries were described as non-life-threatening at the time of the incident.