Oshawa teen shooting charges have been laid against a 17-year-old following a June shooting that left a 20-year-old man seriously injured. Durham Regional Police say the teenager was arrested in Bowmanville on July 30 after investigators identified a suspect in the case.
The shooting happened at approximately 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, near Ritson Road North and Pentland Street in Oshawa. Officers from Central East Division responded and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was transported to a local hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition. Police said his condition was later upgraded to stable.
Teen Arrested in Bowmanville
Police initially appealed for information after the shooting and did not publicly identify a suspect. Following what investigators described as an extensive investigation, members of the East Crime Team located the accused in Bowmanville on Thursday, July 30.
The arrest was carried out with assistance from the Offender Management Unit and Tactical Support Unit. Police said the teenager was taken into custody, but the release did not report any injuries during the arrest.
The accused is an Oshawa resident. Although his arrest occurred in Bowmanville, the alleged shooting and continuing investigation are centred in Oshawa.
Oshawa Teen Shooting Charges Include Firearm Offences
Durham police announced ten charges against the 17-year-old. They include aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, discharging a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing a prohibited or restricted firearm without a licence.
The accused also faces charges of possessing a prohibited or restricted firearm, careless use of a firearm, possessing a weapon dangerous to the public peace, carrying a concealed weapon, pointing a firearm and failing to comply with an undertaking.
Police allege that the teenager was subject to weapons prohibition conditions when the shooting occurred. He was held for a bail hearing.
The charges are allegations that have not been proven in court. The accused is presumed innocent unless found guilty.
His name and other identifying information have not been released. The Youth Criminal Justice Act generally prohibits publishing information that could identify a young person being dealt with under the legislation.
Victim’s Condition Upgraded to Stable
The 20-year-old victim was initially hospitalized with injuries police described as serious but not life-threatening. His condition has since improved to stable.
The police release did not provide a suspected motive or say whether the victim and accused knew each other. It also did not announce additional arrests or indicate whether a firearm had been recovered.
Investigators continue asking people who were near Ritson Road North and Pentland Street at approximately 3 p.m. on June 14 to review any recordings that may have captured the shooting or surrounding activity.
Police Continue Appeal for Information
Anyone with cellphone, dashboard-camera or surveillance footage is asked to contact Detective Barr of the Central East Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520, extension 1705.
Anonymous information can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS, or 8477. Police say tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
The Oshawa teen shooting charges represent a significant development in an investigation that began more than six weeks earlier. One accused person has now been arrested, but police continue seeking witnesses and recordings that could help establish the full circumstances surrounding the June 14 shooting.
