As the City of Niagara Falls prepared to recognize National Crime Night Out, gunfire erupted in the city’s North End during an incident that is being described as a “shoot-out.”
Niagara Falls Police were dispatched to the 3100 block of Ninth Street around 3:50 p.m. Tuesday for reports of shots fired. Police reported a Chevy Silverado and a Chrysler were involved with the occupants of both vehicles taking shots at each other.
While enroute, officers were advised that there was a gunshot victim at the scene.
Officers made contact with a male, who reportedly had two graze wounds — one to the left arm near his wrist and another one to the head. Niagara Falls firefighters and an AMR ambulance crew responded to the scene. The male was transported to a local hospital.
At the scene, officers and detectives located nearly 50 bullet casings in the parking lot and a blue Chrysler that has been struck by gunfire. Stray bullets also struck the apartment building. At least one bullet went through the window of an apartment, missing the residents inside.
Police at the scene said as gunshots rang out, bystanders, including children, ran to seek shelter. One resident said that he heard gunfire outside and immediately got down on the floor. A few people sustained minor injuries as they ran to seek shelter.
The shooting is under investigation by the detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 716-286-4553.