Three people were sent to hospital Saturday in what Cornwall police are calling a gang-involved shooting and what one eyewitness described as a terrifying attack pitting one groups of bikers against another.

Cornwall Police Services spokesperson Stephanie MacRae said three people were injured but could not confirm the nature of their injuries. They are in hospital in stable condition.

“There was an altercation that occurred between motorcycle gangs,” she said. She did not name the gangs. 

The shooting occurred in the area of Vincent Massey Drive and 14th Street W in Cornwall, according to police, who said officers responded at about 8:20 p.m.

MacRae said several people are in custody, though she would not say how many. The investigation remains ongoing.

“We can confirm that there’s no further risk to public safety,” she said, adding that it was an “isolated” incident between people who knew each other.

Barb Leggett, a commander with Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services, also said three people were transported to a hospital in Ottawa. She could not comment on their conditions.

Boopathi Venkatesan, who owns the nearby restaurant Wow India, said he saw a serious altercation at the site before police arrived.

He described four motorbikers sitting near the Cora restaurant between about 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sometime after 8 p.m., he saw a group of between eight and 12 other people arrive on motorbikes and immediately start beating the other four.

“There was a lot of blood,” he said. 

Injured biker couldn’t get up: eyewitness 

Venkatesan said he went to call 911 but noticed police were already arriving on the scene.

He said some of the motorbikers drove away. His view was partly obstructed by remaining motorbikes but he saw at least one person lying on the ground. 

“He couldn’t stand up, so right away police came and start to give first aid,” he said.

Venkatesan said he did not see or hear gunshots, though he was inside his store watching from the window and could not hear much of the altercation either. 

“This is scary,” he said. “This is something new from us … this is the first time I have seen something like this.”

Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale said the incident was shocking. 

“We’re a safe community. We’re not used to seeing anything like this, and it certainly sends a shock through the entire community… People are worried, people are scared.”

Acting police chief Vincent Foy agreed that the incident was “alarming,” and rare for Cornwall.

“We have dedicated appropriate resources to actively investigate this incident and are working closely with our law enforcement partners,” he said in a statement. 

‘It was crazy’

Vinai Cherian said he was working at the nearby Quickie convenience store at the time of the shooting. He heard a sound like a gunshot, though he initially thought it was a bursting tire.

Soon after, he said, a customer came into the store and said there had been a shooting. 

“I took it seriously and just closed the store and stayed inside,” said Cherian. 

Police came within a minute or so. He could not see the site of the altercation, which is behind the Quickie, but said he saw two motorbikers drive away as officers arrived.

“It was crazy,” he said. “I was kind of scared.”

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