Police in Victoria, B.C., say a shooting Tuesday at a rooming house in the city was not random and the public is not at risk.

In a tweet just before 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, the Victoria Police Department asked people to remain inside while officers investigated reports of shots fired along Bay Street, between Forbes and Victor streets.

A man in his 40s has been taken to hospital. According to Insp. Grant Hamilton, the victim was known to police.

Tony Patriarche, a resident of a house where the shooting occurred, says he was woken up from a nap by his housemate saying he'd been shot. (Michael Mcarthur/CBC)

Tony Patriarche, a resident of a private dwelling with rented out rooms, told the CBC his housemate was shot in the buttocks area.

"I was asleep at the time that it occurred," he said. "The resident who was injured came and called my name and told me he'd been shot."

Witnesses stand outside the house where a man was reportedly shot on Tuesday. ( Michael Mcarthur/CBC)

Patriarche said the man was cleaning the wound and was able to walk but was limping.

"I saw one of the wounds. It looked fairly minor, but he may have been injured more than once because I heard that there was more than one shot fired," Patriarche said.

Police stand in front of the house with the witness. Waiting for an official media brief. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yyj?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yyj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/victoriaBC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#victoriaBC</a> <a href="https://t.co/YrbIjTvDvL">pic.twitter.com/YrbIjTvDvL</a> —@Adamvanderzwan

Five people live at the house, according to Patriarche, and there have been other recent problems at the residence including an incident involving bear spray 10 days ago.

"I don't know [if the shooting was deliberate] but I don't think it was accidental from what I've heard," he said.

"I make it a personal quarrel."

The house where the shooting appears to have occurred is a private dwelling with rented out rooms. (Michael Mcarthur/CBC)

No suspect has been found.

Police said Bay Street remains closed to vehicle traffic, and people are being asked to avoid the area. A K-9 unit is also on scene.