Overnight shooting in school parking lot sends one to hospital in North Bay

A 21-year-old North Bay man has been charged after a 19-year-old was shot and seriously wounded in a school parking lot overnight.

“The North Bay Police Service received a call to the parking lot of a school on Lake Heights Road in relation to the sounds of a gunshot,” North Bay police said in a news release Wednesday morning.

“When officers arrived, a 19-year-old male was found with a gunshot wound. A male that had fled on foot was located a short distance from the scene and was arrested by police.”

The victim is in hospital in serious condition. Cost. Merv Shantz told CTV that police received a call just after 2 a.m. alerting them about a shooting near the school's parking lot.

While the shooting is not connected to the school, Holy Cross will be closed Wednesday as police conduct their investigation.

“There will be a heavy police presence in the area of Holy Cross School today and the school will be closed for the day,” police said.

“At this time, it is suspected that the accused and the lone male victim are known to each other and have no association (with) the school. There is no risk to public safety at this time.”

Police markers are seen Wednesday at the crime scene. A 19-year-old was taken to hospital after the 2 a.m. shooting on the property of Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

'I'm shocked'

Linda Orlow, who lives near the school, told CTV News that the shooting happened close to her front door.

"I'm shocked," she said.

"I've lived here 34 years and there's never been anything like that. It's hitting too close to home."

Orlow said a lot of young families live in the area, making the incident particularly concerning.

"I was just walking by a couple of hours before, around 7 or 8 last night," she said.

"So it's shocking."

There will be a heavy police presence in the area of Holy Cross School in North Bay on Wednesday as North Bay Police investigate the shooting. The school will be closed for the day. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

On its website, the Nipissing Parry Sound Catholic District School Board said the school was notified early Wednesday morning.

“There is an active investigation resulting in an increased police presence in the surrounding area,” the board said.

“In light of this information, (North Bay police) as requested that the school be closed to students today, Wednesday, June 5. Please continue to monitor your school and social media communication for further updates.”

The North Bay Police Service’s criminal investigations unit is continuing to investigate the shooting and is asking for information from anyone who may have been in the area, or who has dash cam footage or video surveillance of the area.

Anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to call 705-497-5555 and press 5 to speak with an officer.

“Further details will be released in the coming days,” police said.

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