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Stray bullet pierces school window
The Brampton Guardian
Friday November 6 2009
By Pam Douglas
 
BRAMPTON - A stray bullet pierced an empty office window at Williams Parkway Senior Public School yesterday afternoon.

No one was hit after several shots were fired at a 23-year-old man on nearby MacKay Street in the M Section of Bramalea just after 2 p.m., according to Peel Regional Police.

The shooting started after two men, dressed in sports jackets and ties, knocked on the door of the 23-year-old man’s home on MacKay Street at Williams Parkway, just north of the school.
One of the men was holding a clipboard, and was armed with a revolver. They burst into the house when the door was opened, punched and kicked the victim and tied him up, according to police.

They took cash, and portable electronics including a laptop computer, and ran out.

But the victim broke free from his restraints and chased them out the door. That’s when one of the men opened fire. Several shots were fired, although police could not confirm how many.

The victim was not hit, but one stray bullet travelled south down the street, crossed Williams Parkway, and hit the school window. The office was unoccupied at the time, although classes were in session. The bullet hole was not discovered until later during the police investigation, according to school officials.

An area resident who witnessed the shooting ran to the school and asked that police be called. The witness initially reported the weapon may have been a cap gun, but police confirmed the gun was real. Despite reports, police confirmed Friday that it was not the victim that went to the school to report the crime, but an area resident.

The two suspects are still on the loose. They escaped in a green Honda Civic.

Classes were not interrupted, but the school doors were locked for about 15 minutes until police deemed it safe to unlock them, according to Sylvia Link, spokesperson for the Peel District School Board. Students were unaware of the drama that was unfolding nearby.

Police also gave the school the okay to dismiss students— who are in Grades 6, 7 and 8— at the regular time. The area was ruled safe because the suspects were seen driving away.

“Though this incident is not connected to our school, you will be glad to hear that the victim sustained only minor injuries and is doing well,” students were told in a school announcement about the incident this morning. “Police have finished their investigation of the area around our school and assure us there is no increased safety risk in our community.”

The suspects are both described as male, black, in their 20s, 5-foot-10, wearing business attire. One was wearing a long, grey overcoat.

School officials took the opportunity to enforce basic “street proofing” strategies for students, including using the buddy system, staying on main, well-travelled routes, and making sure family members know your whereabouts.