Barrie police say an attempted carjacking is what precipitated a shooting in the city's south end Tuesday evening.
Officers responded to a Country Lane residence at 6:06 p.m., June 7, after a 25-year-old man was shot. Police say the victim had just exited a home on that street and was getting into his "luxury sedan" when he was approached by a male armed with a firearm who wanted to steal his car.
"The victim quickly reversed out of the driveway, and he did so, was shot by the would-be thief," police said in a news release Wednesday morning.
The victim then made his way to a Mapleview Drive East service station where he was treated by Simcoe County Paramedics and transported to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. A short time later, police say he was airlifted to a Toronto-area trauma centre suffering from a serious but non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his upper body.
The suspects fled the area in what police say they have now determined was a stolen motor vehicle and, based upon information received by investigators, were taken into custody within 20 minutes in the area of Innisifil Beach Road and Yonge Street.
The suspects were transported to Barrie Police Headquarters on Fairview Road where the investigation continued during the overnight hours.
An 18-year-old Toronto man has been charged with 15 Criminal Code offences, including robbery, firearms and various assault-related offences.
The other suspect, a 14-year-old male from Brampton, is facing seven charges, including robbery, firearms and possession of stolen property obtained by crime.
Both males have been held in custody and will appear for a bail hearing today in Barrie at the Ontario Court of Justice.
"Barrie police have determined that this was a targeted incident and remind citizens that your personal safety important at all times," police said in the news release. "Members of the public should always be aware of their surroundings and if confronted with an incident involving violence, where possible, remove yourself as quickly as you can from the situation and remember to never engage the perpetrator(s)."
