Residents of Avenue G N. in Saskatoon were startled by the 'pop — pop, pop, pop' of gunfire outside their homes late last month, but it was days before they learned it was the sound of a shooting that sent several bullets into a home.

Police confirmed Saturday that gunshots have been fired at two separate houses on Avenue G N. in two separate incidents since late January.

2 shootings blocks apart

The first was reported on Jan. 31 when the homeowner, who had been away, returned to find several bullet holes in the living room window of his home on the 900 block.

On Feb. 2, six adults and an infant were inside a home on the 1400 block when multiple gunshots penetrated the walls. Nobody was injured in the shooting.

Jane Caulfield, who has lived on Avenue G N. in the Caswell Hill neighbourhood for about three years, recalls hearing gunshots near her home on Jan. 25.

"The first reaction was to drop and roll but I also thought 'Oh that was a cap gun, silly me for doing that,'" said Caulfield.

"About a week later we found out it was a shooting and then today we found out there was a second one further down the street.

"To know that that's happening in our neighbourhood — it's definitely scary for sure."

Motive unknown

She said it was even more unnerving because she did not know the motive for either of the shootings.

Police said in a news release they do not believe the incidents are random. The shootings are being investigated by detectives from the targeted enforcement section and the guns and gang team.

Davin Andrie, who also lives on Avenue G N., said he was almost asleep when he heard what he immediately recognized as gunshots.

He did not know the bullets had been fired into a house until Sunday, when he also learned about the second shooting on Feb. 2.

"It was two quick shots in succession, with a pause, followed by five or six very rapid shots after that," he said.

Shootings are surprising: resident

Andrie has lived on the street for less than a year but said he has only been a victim of crime on one occasion, when someone tried to break into his car.

He said it was frightening to know there had been two incidents since late January.

"It's surprising in the sense that you never expect something like that," said Andrie.

"I know our neighbourhood isn't the east side but actual gun violence in Saskatoon is crazy."

Bullet-shaped holes can be seen in the glass window of this home on the 900 block of Avenue G. N. (Alicia Bridges/CBC News)

Committed to Caswell Hill

Caulfied, too, feels rattled by the incidents but said she is committed to staying in the Caswell Hill neighbourhood.

"We're part of the community garden, we know our neighbours, it's a great place to live," said Caulfield.

"I know things happen all over the city, it's not just here, and so we would be bad neighbours if we didn't try to band together with our neighbours."

Caulfield is a member of the Caswell Hill community watch patrol Facebook group but is not yet sure if there are plans for residents to meet in person and discuss the shootings.

She does hope to see an increased police presence in the residential area as a result of the two incidents.

Suspicious vehicles

Officers believe the first shooting may have taken place several days prior to being reported on Jan. 31 because a neighbour noticed a suspicious vehicle in the area.

The vehicle is described as a small, light-coloured pickup truck with a beat-up appearance and decals on the rear window.

In the second incident, police were called to the 1400 block of Avenue G N. on Feb. 2 when a resident reported hearing multiple gunshots. He said his home had been struck several times with bullets.

Police said the description of a possible suspect vehicle is vague but it is thought to be a smaller hatch-back style car.

The investigation is ongoing.