A St. Thomas man has been accused of attempted murder relating to a shooting reported at an apartment building earlier this week.
At around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to several 911 calls about a "disturbance" at a high-rise building on Talbot Street near Elgin Street. When police arrived, they found a 24-year-old woman who had been shot. The victim was immediately taken to hospital with life threatening injuries, where she remains as of Wednesday afternoon.
A 39-year-old man took off from the scene before officers arrived. He was arrested a short time later on Hiawatha Street and a loaded gun was seized, police said.
"It was learned early in the investigation that the victim and her partner - [the] accused were involved in an altercation earlier in the afternoon," read a statement issued Wednesday by St. Thomas police. "That situation deteriorated to the point where the suspect shot the victim and fled the residence."
Upon further investigation, police located a deceased dog in the unit where the incident took place. Officers believe the dog suffered a gun-shot wound. Investigators say they will work with Forensic Vetrinarian Services to definitively determine the animal's cause of death.
Investigators announced the 39-year-old suspect has been charged with attempting to commit murder, possession of a firearm contrary to a probation order, possession of a loaded firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.
LondonNewsToday.ca is not using the name of the accused in order to protect the identity of the victim. He remains in police custody while waiting to make a court appearance.
A police presence remains in the area of 300 Talbot Street as officers continue their investigation.
Police officials maintain there is no threat to public safety.
-With files from Miranda Chant
