Rooming house shooting unnerves Lyon Street neighbours

People living near the scene of a daylight shooting on Lyon Street say they're worried about the safety of their neighbourhood.

On Friday, one man was found suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower body and was taken to hospital with life-threatening condition. A second man found suffering from an overdose was also taken to hospital in life-threatening condition.

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Some neighbours described seeing a man lying on the sidewalk outside a rooming houseat 292 Lyon St.

"All of a sudden, I hear, 'bang, bang!'"said Denis Roy, who said he's lived in the rooming house for four years but is now trying to find a safer place to live.

Roy said when he realized the noises were gunshots, he remained in his room.

Frank Patafilives a couple doors down from the home but didn't hear any of the commotion until later that night.

"Well, I'm a little concerned about it. It's been ongoing problems with that place, so it does affect us," he said.

He's written to Somerset ward Coun. Catherine McKenneyabout the problem, but doesn't feel much came out of it.

He wants the house torn down or sold, and said if it's not he'll consider moving.

Police officers could be seen going in and out of the house Saturday morning.The guns and gangs unit hastaken over the investigation.

'Red flags'

Police have released few details about the shooting, but it's the latest in a string of violent crimes that have plagued the city's downtown.

Two men were killed in the last two months in the ByWard Market after being shot. In response, police bolstered their presence in the market on the weekends, but concerns remain.

"It is another incident that should be setting off red flags," said Irvin Waller, a criminologist at the University of Ottawa.

He said while not all shootings have the same root causes, city council should be doing more to combat street violence.

"The way the police are used and the amount of money going into targeted services to young men would make a significant difference and it would reduce gun use, not only in the market but in other hot spots in Ottawa," he said.

Princess Land, who lives across the street from the rooming house on Lyon Street, said she's become increasingly concerned for her safety.

She said she was woken up by the sound of gunshots on the street a couple months ago, and worries about walking on the street at night.

"When I work late at night, I don't get home until 12, 12:30, and I always feel I get a lot of anxiety when I'm walking home, walking from the bus stop just from Somerset [Street]."