Gunshots wake neighbourhood early Wednesday morning

One man remains in critical condition and investigators continue to investigate after an early morning takedown and shooting on Ellesmere Road this past Wednesday.

Sirens and gunshots woke up residents in the Morningside-Ellesmere area around 1:50 a.m. as at least 10 shots rang out capping a high-speed police chase that began downtown and ended with the car smashing into a guardrail near Mornelle Court and officers discharging their weapons.

A police car apparently cut through the Petro-Canada gas station on the corner and rammed the green Ford Tempo that was heading west up Ellesmere, according to Mark Brown who was on his balcony at the time.

One of the suspects ran into nearby Morningside Park where police apprehended him shortly after. Darren Wickens, 20, was arrested and taken to hospital but released shortly after with no injuries.

The other man, whose name has not been released, remained in the car surrounded by police for about 30 minutes until members of the Emergency Task Force pulled him out of the vehicle. He was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital with a serious head injury where he was listed in critical condition as of Thursday.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which handles cases where police contact has resulted in death or serious injury, is taking over the investigation. Rose Bliss of the SIU could not confirm whether the head injury suffered by the man was gun-related.

Security cameras at the Petro-Canada are being examined by the SIU in hopes they may have caught the incident on tape.

Bliss is appealing for witnesses to contact the SIU at 416-622-1988 and information received would be kept confidential.

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Posted: Sep 24 2007 12:00 pm
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Filed under: News