(Today’s Northumberland file photo)
The target of a shooting at the homeless encampment in Cobourg said the shooting was related to drugs.
“Chris” spoke with Today’s Northumberland and said on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at approximately 4:45 p.m. three black men, approximately 20-years-old showed up at the encampment which is at the bottom of Hibernia Street in Cobourg.
“They wanted to use our space to sell their drugs and we weren’t having it. We asked them to leave and one took our a gun and took a shot at me.”
Nearly 24-hours after the incident Chris laughs when he says the shooter 20-feet away when he fired but missed. He was a “bad shot.”
“They just came in and seen it as a opportunity to sell drugs in a place that didn’t have drugs.”
Chris said the residents at the camp look towards him as the leader, “so I just did what I could.”
After being shot at, Chris and others chased the suspects away. They escaped in a black Chrysler 200.
“We chased after the guys with guns – yes.”
With the adrenalin pumping from the incident, Chris said that, “smarter minds didn’t prevail,” and that’s why he chased them.
At any given time there are anywhere from 15-40 people at the encampment.
Police taped off the encampment for the investigation and interviewed a number of witnesses.
Nobody was hurt in the incident, but Chris said police did find one, 9mm casing believed to be from the shooting.
The homeless encampment has been at the bottom of Hibernia Street in Cobourg, just west of the west pier along the shoreline of Lake Ontario for just over a week.
Cobourg Council held an emergency meeting last week and it was decided on Friday, August 11, 2023, even though the encampment is in violation of several by-laws it would not be removed.
Cobourg Police Investigating Gunshots Fired at Homeless Encampment
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
