2 in hospital after 2 firearms offences in 5 hours

Winnipeg police were kept busy Saturday with two weapons-related offences that put two men suffering from gunshot wounds in hospital.

Around 2:32 p.m., a Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) unit was in the area of Notre Dame Ave and Carleton St when they heard gunshots and saw a man chasing another man with a handgun.

The chase occurred ner Qu'Appelle Ave and Carleton St.

WPS officers chased the man with the weapon, who tried to get rid of it during the on-foot chase. The man was taken into custody and the handgun was recovered.

Shortly after, the other man was found in a taxi suffering from gunshot injuries at the rear of the 300 block of Portage Ave.

WPS says officers immediately began to administer first aid and a firearm was recovered from the taxi.

The man was taken to hospital in unstable condition but was later upgraded to stable.

A 27-year-old man from Winnipeg is facing eight charges, including discharge of a firearm with intent, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and aggravated assault.

The suspect was detained. The other man remains in police custody in hospital and faces firearm-related charges.

Later in the evening, WPS officers responded to the 1100 block of Arlington St after receiving a report that a man had been shot.

An injured man in his 30s suffering from gunshot injuries was found by police. He was taken to hospital in unstable condition and later upgraded to stable.

Both investigations are continuing by the WPS major crimes unit. Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers.