Ottawa's first shooting of 2015 is gang-related, police say

Ottawa police are calling Ottawas first shooting of 2015 gang-related after a man in his 20s was shot in the back twice.

Police and paramedics responded after several callers reported hearing gunshots at about 4:15 p.m. Saturday in the 100 block of Riga Private, which is off Lats Private andDoaneStreet.

The callers said they witnesseda dark-colouredvehicle speeding away from the scene, police said.

A man in his 20s was shot in the back twice and collapsed at the scene before he was taken to hospital by paramedics in critical condition.

Staff-Sgt. Ken Bryden of the Ottawa police guns and gangs unit said a black, smaller vehicle pulled up and a suspect shot a mantwice in the back before driving away. The victim was walking along the street, Bryden added.

Bryden said the man was in critical condition as of Sunday and he's in bad shape.Police have yet to speak to thevictim, who is known to police and is a known gang member.

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The shooting has been called gang-related, but the motive is not clear and the victim's gang affiliation is not yet known, Bryden also said.

Officers were canvassing the area of the shooting on Sunday and interviewing witnesses as the guns and gangs unit continues to investigate.

The city's first shooting of the year comes just 10 days into 2015. Ottawa saw a record 49 shootings in 2014.