Residents of an east London townhouse complex say it’s a miracle no one was hurt after nearly a half-dozen shots were fired in an area where children often play.

Bullet holes were left in two vehicles still parked at 2010 Wavell St., south of Dundas Street, on Wednesday.

Police were called to housing complex Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. for reports of multiple gunshots heard in the area.

One resident, who asked not to be identified, said the area where the vehicles were hit is normally packed after dinner with youngsters playing.

“It’s a good thing nobody was out here . . . because they probably would have got killed,” the woman said while standing in the parking lot.

The close call marks the fourth time shots have been fired in a public place — nobody was injured in any of the cases — in London this year. Police have only laid charges in one of the shootings.

In the most recent incident, police confirmed two vehicles were struck, but residents said bullet holes were discovered in three cars, including one that was occupied at the time.

“That was a little scary. She just got home from getting her groceries,” complex manager John Loughlean said of the near-miss.

A Dodge Calibre had a suspected bullet hole near the rear wheel on the driver’s side.

About 20 metres away, a Honda Civic had an apparent bullet hole in the driver’s door. The car’s owner said her husband didn’t discover the damage until Wednesday morning.

There was an altercation between two men before the shots were fired, police said. Nobody was injured.

“It’s definitely a scary situation anytime anyone is involved in a firearms-related offence,” Const Sandasha Bough said.



A Honda Civic had a bullet hole after a Tuesday evening shooting at a housing complex on Wavell Street in London. (MIKE HENSEN, The London Free Press)

Residents, who reported hearing at least between five and seven shots, said investigators retrieved a gun from a nearby yard, but Bough wouldn’t confirm the claim.

“That’s an investigative detail that we can’t provide,” she said.

Police Wednesday released descriptions of two suspects. One was a black man with a heavy build, five-foot-five. He was wearing a black jacket with a hood and black shorts.

The other was a six-foot black man in his late-twenties, with a thin build, an afro style haircut and facial hair.

“The information we have right now is two (men) were involved in an altercation, so we’re looking for those two individuals,” Bough said.

A police cruiser and forensic identification van remained at the scene Wednesday.

Built in 1992, the 55-unit complex offers affordable housing. It’s owned by the non-profit Homes Unlimited.

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Other gunfire this year

June 17: House on Cedarhollow Boulevard struck by three bullets. Family inside was unhurt. Police charge 17-year-old two months later.

March 29: Townhouse on North Centre Road complex struck by multiple bullets. Nobody hurt.

Feb. 18: Townhouse in Huron Street public housing complex struck by at least three bullets. Police discover damage five days later after housing authority staff found spent casings. Nobody hurt.

dcarruthers@postmedia.com

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