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Police say they are looking for two suspects after three people were injured, two critically, in a targeted daytime shooting in St. Catharines.

Niagara Regional Police Const. Phil Gavin told reporters officers were called to the Niagara and Church streets area before 3:45 p.m. on Thursday with multiple reports of shots fired.

Three victims were found at multiple scenes with gunshot injuries.

An Ornge air ambulance spokesperson told Global News its crews took two patients to trauma centres in critical condition.

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.@Ornge has just transferred a second victim to trauma centre from the St. Catharines shooting. Another victim was transferred earlier. Third patient remains in local hospital. @NiagaraMedics pic.twitter.com/F6USnon9Yr — Jeremy Cohn (@JeremyGlobalTV) September 6, 2018

Kevin Smith, Chief of Niagara Emergency Services, said a third patient was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said investigators are looking for two male suspects, who are believed to be in their early 20s.

The first suspect was described as being around 5’11”, and having short hair, a dark complexion and a slim build. He was last seen wearing a black shirt with white writing on the front and black shorts with white on the side. The second suspect was described as being around 6’3″, and having a muscular build and dreadlocks in a pony tail in a black hat. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and grey track pants.

Meanwhile, Gavin said all available police resources are being used.

“This is a very impactful event on the city of St. Catharines … A multiple shooting of three people in this city is not something that happens thankfully very often,” he said Thursday evening.

“It’s got our attention and we’re going to work this case, and we’re going to try to bring in the people responsible for this.” Tweet This

Police said that investigators believe the shooting was “a targeted incident.”

In a written update early Friday morning, police said officers will be guarding one of the shooting scenes pending a forensic examination.

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Officers said both suspects should be “considered armed and should not be approached.” If anyone sees either of the men wanted, police encouraged residents to call 911.

Media Release: Weapons – Three injured in St. Catharines Shooting – https://t.co/xgxbDCCdj2 — NRPS (@NiagRegPolice) September 7, 2018

After hours of waiting, many residents now allowed back into their homes, as the investigation area for #StCShooting is scaled back. No word from police on any arrests so far. @globalnewsto pic.twitter.com/wVt9kzm6Mo — Kamil Karamali (@KamilKaramali) September 7, 2018

#STCshooting #24 Thank you to the citizens of @St_Catharines we know this was a tough night for many. Your messages of suppprt for the work we were doing was very kind. An incident like this doesn’t define who you are, kindness does. — PC Phil Gavin (@PCPhilGavin) September 7, 2018

#STCshooting 23. Our detectives will be continuing the investigation over night. I will be working on a media release shortly. I am leaving the scene to do that now. — PC Phil Gavin (@PCPhilGavin) September 7, 2018

#STCshooting 22. We will be scaling back crime scene in the Queenston/Niagara St area. Evacuees can now return to their homes. We are still maintaining 3 scenes over night. 2 residences pending warrants and the original shooting scene. The suspects remain outstanding. — PC Phil Gavin (@PCPhilGavin) September 7, 2018

#STCShooting 15. victim info. 3 Victims. 2 have now been flown by @Ornge to out of Region trauma centre. The 3rd is being treated for what is believed to be none life threatening injuries — PC Phil Gavin (@PCPhilGavin) September 6, 2018

#STCShooting 14. Suspect Information is limited still. The suspects are black two males believed to be between the ages of 19-23 yrs. One wearing dark hoodie and jeans. — PC Phil Gavin (@PCPhilGavin) September 6, 2018

#STCshooting 10. This is not an active shooter situation. We are actively searching for armed suspects in the previously mentioned area. — PC Phil Gavin (@PCPhilGavin) September 6, 2018

#StCShooting 5. We have multiple scenes in the Geneva / Queenston St / Niagara St area. Please stay clear. — PC Phil Gavin (@PCPhilGavin) September 6, 2018

#STCshooting 3. Our Emergency Task Unit, K9, uniform patrol, 1 District Detectives and Emergency Services Officer’s are all activated and onscene — PC Phil Gavin (@PCPhilGavin) September 6, 2018

#STCshooting 1. At approx 343pm this afternoon we responded to the area of Church St and Niagara St in @St_Catharines for a report of a shooting. — PC Phil Gavin (@PCPhilGavin) September 6, 2018

#STCshooting 2. We arrived on scene to find multiple shootings victims. We will release their medical conditions when we have more details. — PC Phil Gavin (@PCPhilGavin) September 6, 2018

Our media relations officer @PCPhilGavin is on his way to @St_Catharines for developing shooting incident follow him for details. Please stay out the Queenston St / Geneva St area as we investigate. — NRPS (@NiagRegPolice) September 6, 2018

#BREAKING reports of multiple persons shot in St Catherine’s on Niagara Street. @NiagRegPolice telling first responders and residents to stay out of the area for possibility of shooter remaining in the area — Andrew Collins (@ACollinsPhoto) September 6, 2018