Man taken to hospital after 2 reports of gunshots in Kitchener and Waterloo, police say

A man has been takento hospital afterreports of gunshots in Kitchener and Waterloo, police said.

Waterloo Regional Police said they respondedjust before 4 p.m. on Saturday to reports of severalgunshots near Avalon Place in Kitchener and then, minutes later, to calls from the area of Highway 85 near Bridgeport Road in Waterloo.

Police said the gunfire involvedtwo shootings and they believethe shootings are connected.

"Investigators are working to determine the targeted nature of the incidents," police said in a release Saturday evening.

A 23-year-old man was found in a wooded area near Avalon Place with gunshot wounds and taken to hospital.

Police released a photo of the suspect's car, which they described as a newer model four-door grey Mercedes car with no front plate.People were asked to call 911 if they see it.

Police said members of the emergency response team would be on scene into the evening and a drone would be used during the investigation. Earlier in the day, people were told to stay in their homes or stay away from the area but police said after9 p.m. that people could leave their homes and those who had left were permitted to return.

Highway 85 in Waterloo hadreopened to traffic as of 7:30 p.m. Saturday.