Neighbours react with shock to drive-by shooting in Timmins

Gunfire startled residents of a Timmins residential area Monday night southwest of downtown. Timmins police are investigating why the incident took place.

A multi-unit dwelling was the target of the shooting. A number of bullets hit an apartment building at the corner of Wende Avenue and Rae Street South. 

People who live near the scene said it was a frightening experience.

“I was sitting in bed. I heard the shots,” said Spencer Nielson.

“I was too scared to move at first. I came outside. The neighbours were outside. They said there was a drive-by shooting with a truck. I thought I couldn't believe it.” 

Home on Wende Avenue on the corner of Rea Street S that appears to have bullet holes in the front following reports of shots fired Monday night. Aug. 13, 2024 (Lydia Chubak/CTV Northern Ontario)“I live like, maybe, about seven or eight houses from here and this is way too close to home,” said Guy Charlebois.

“We never had shootouts like this before in our neighborhood.”

Detectives with Timmins police said they received reports of gunfire shortly after 11 p.m.

Police were unavailable for an interview before our deadline, but said no injuries were reported as a result of the shooting. People who spoke with CTV News said they won’t soon forget what happened.

Timmins house targeted in drive-by shooting. August 13, 2024 (Lydia Chubak/CTV Northern Ontario)

“The best thing we can do is band together as neighbours and as a neighborhood and hope that, you know, we can get something good out of it,” Nielson said.

“We got to keep the neighbours close, keep a watch on the neighbourhood and see who's coming in and out,” Charlebois added.

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“And we got to eliminate the crime around here. There's been a lot of thieves.”

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call Timmins police at 705-264-1201 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or 705-268-8477.