

Codi Wilson, CP24.com





Durham Regional Police are investigating a shooting at Pickering Ribfest that left four people wounded on Saturday night.

Gunfire erupted outside the Pickering Civic Complex, on Valley Farm Road, north of Highway 401, at around 11 p.m.

Police said they were called to the scene after “numerous gunshots” were heard outside the annual event.

According to investigators, three males were taken from the scene to hospital and fourth male victim made his own way to hospital for treatment.

All four victims sustained gunshot wounds but their injuries were not life-threatening, police confirmed Sunday.

The victims include two Ajax teens, ages 16 and 17, as well as a 20-year-old from Pickering, and a 30-year-old from North York.

They have all subsequently been released from hospital.

Police said they do not know how many guns or suspects were involved in the incident and investigators were unable to provide detailed suspect descriptions.

In a news release issued Sunday, police said they do not believe the shooting was a “random act” and asked anyone with information to come forward.

Ribfest is a 'safe event,' mayor says

Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan said he was “shocked” and "troubled" by the incident.

“This is a safe community. This is a very safe event. An unfortunately incident occurred last night but it was an incident. It is not indicative of what happens here in our community,” Ryan told reporters.

He noted that the shooting occurred outside the event and that the “robust security” at the entrance gate prevented anyone from entering with weapons.

“That has been acknowledged by (Durham Regional Police). In fact they have congratulated for us,” Ryan added.

He said the city is cooperating with police in their investigation

“We are providing them with video that is recorded around city hall and they are currently analyzing that,” Ryan said.

David Pickles, the deputy mayor of Pickering, said he hopes police will track down the perpetrators soon.

"I think people are really assured by the police presence that’s going on and the investigation. Hopefully they will get the people off the street that caused this disturbance as quickly as possible and we are very hopeful that the people who are impacted will recover very quickly," Pickles told CP24 on Sunday.

"I think everybody is shocked and unpleasantly surprised. Everybody was having a great weekend down here. We had great weather. A lot of families were out so something like this in our community is really shocking. It is something that we hear about else. We don’t really expect something like this to happen here."

Event continues Sunday

The shooting did not prevent organizers from opening up the gates again on Sunday.

“Ribfest is about fundraising. Anything that we make, we give right back to the community so it is a very important weekend to us,” Sophia Levy-Presner, the organizer of Pickering Ribfest, said Sunday.

“We have tight security. We have police here all the time. So it is very safe.”

Pickering resident Nick Foster told CP24 that he doesn’t believe the incident will dissuade people from attending the event.

“I think everyone is still going to come and have a great time,” he said. “That’s what I hope will happen.”