Police received multiple calls about gunshots around 10:45 p.m. ET Thursday
After a fight in Stratford, Ontario, on Thursday night, a man opened fire on his neighbors, killing two and seriously injuring two more, according to police.
Around 10:45 p.m. ET, several 911 calls regarding gunshots were received by the police in the vicinity of Bradshaw Drive and McCarthy Road West.
When police got there, they discovered four victims of gunshot wounds. Two of them passed away, and the other two were flown to Victoria Hospital in London by an Ornge air ambulance.
While the other person’s injuries are life-altering, the first person’s injuries are life-threatening.
According to authorities, Ricky Bilcke, 31, “opened fire and shot the three victims after being involved in an ongoing neighbor dispute” on Friday afternoon.
They claimed that Bilcke killed himself with a gunshot wound.
Area closed for investigation
After a fight, according to the police, Bilcke shot 36-year-old Jonathan Bennett with a powerful rifle. Bennett was declared deceased in the hospital.
“[Bilcke] then accessed a shotgun and entered onto the roadway where he shot the second victim … who is currently in hospital receiving treatment for life-threatening injuries,” according to police.
The two victims, a woman whose age was not disclosed and a 43-year-old man, “exited her residence and was targeted and shot by the shooter.”
Bradshaw Drive will be closed on Friday in order to conduct the investigation. The area will be scoured by Stratford Police Service officers in search of surveillance footage and witness accounts.
In a statement, the police department expressed its desire to “send condolences to the victims, their families, loved ones, and all others impacted by this incident.”
The police also stated that they are aware of several shooting videos that have been shared on social media.
“Out of respect to the victims of this incident and the trauma this has caused to all people involved, we ask that those videos be removed,” police stated.
Police and Crime Stoppers are requesting that anyone with information that could aid in the investigation get in touch with them. Victim Services of Huron Perth can assist those who are in need.
‘They’re shaken…. They’re not feeling safe’
On Thursday evening, while Bob Roth and his spouse were enjoying a glass of wine in their backyard, “we heard three shotgun blasts and shortly after three smaller rounds from a smaller type of gun.” He added to News that he chose to contact the police at that point.
This kind of thing is not expected in a “nice, relatively small town” like Stratford, according to Roth.
“Stuff like this happens everywhere — it’s just, it happens a lot more when there’s a lot more people … in the big city.”
Sam Ahmad heard the shots while out for a walk with his dog. When he saw the police cars later, he realized there had been gunshots, even though at first he had thought they were fireworks.
“Everyone in the neighborhood is unhappy about it. They’re shook, Ahmad said to News.
He continued, “The kids don’t feel safe because they hear gunshots in their own neighborhood.” “it’s a big thing.”
