Loud bangs and explosive pops are usually the sounds of celebration during the Canada Day weekend, but for one Bradford neighbourhood, those sounds brought something much darker to their doorsteps Monday.
Neighbours expressed concern, but not surprise in reaction to the home invasion and shooting incident that took place at 20 Wilke Trail in Bradford early Monday morning, in which South Simcoe Police said four masked suspects broke into the home, assaulted the two male occupants, shot one of them and stole several items.
Police said they believe it was a targeted incident.
Isabella Buslovich lives nearby and said she and others were still awake at 3:50 a.m. when the incident took place.
“It was very chaotic. It was pretty loud.” she said, describing police cars at the intersection of Wilke Trail and West Park Avenue. “We saw an ambulance pull somebody out of the house.”
Despite that, Buslovich said she wasn’t entirely surprised as she had seen incidents at that house in the past. Despite the issues, it hasn’t changed how she feels about the community.
“I think overall, Bradford is a very family-oriented neighbourhood, and depending on where you live, there’s always something. It’s a little bit scary — I’m not going to lie, especially when it’s this close to you, but it doesn’t really impact how I think about Bradford in general,” she said.
Johney Mirza was out walking with his son Tuesday morning and hadn’t yet heard the news.
“It’s a little concerning for sure, with my kids in the neighbourhood. Usually it’s pretty quiet here,” he said.
Mirza said he and his family were sleeping at the time and didn’t hear anything, but expressed concern over what he feels is an increase in the frequency of break and enters across the GTA.
“You just got to be vigilant and at the end of the day, just try to protect yourself and be kind to others,” he said.
Radhika Jaggerlauth said some residents were talking about organizing a neighbourhood watch.
“It was scary because this is an area with families and young kids,” she said, adding that she and her husband have lived in the area for seven years and always found it to be quiet.
Still, she isn’t letting the events change her view of the neighbourhood, because the police are calling it a targeted incident.
Mayor James Leduc said he was shocked and disappointed when he heard these sorts of things were happening in Bradford.
“It’s not something that I’m happy about, but it was a targeted issue, so there’s no real concern for residents,” he said.
While he prefers to avoid commenting on active investigations, he said he feels confident the South Simcoe Police Service would deal with it.
“It’s not the first time we’ve had targeted attacks and shots fired, but our police service does a great job and when it comes to things like this, they do usually get the person,” Leduc said. “The police have it under control. Let them do their job and if you have any information, please provide it to the police.”
Sue Sgambati, corporate communications co-ordinator for South Simcoe Police, said these types of incidents are not common in Bradford.
Due to the investigation being active, Sgambati said she could not answer questions about the type of masks the perpetrators wore, the type of firearms they used, the items stolen or why police suspect the victims were targeted.
A resident who lives nearby but wished not to be named said she heard one gunshot followed by loud banging early Monday morning, and stayed inside for safety.
She recalled a previous home invasion at the same address, but wasn’t sure exactly when it was.
“It’s not the neighbourhood; it’s just that one house,” she said.
Still, she’s hoping police catch the perpetrators.
“I don’t feel comfortable going outside with my kids” in the wake of the incident, she said.
Another nearby resident who wished not to be named said he didn’t hear anything at 3:50 a.m., but did see plenty of police cars when he left his house at 6:45 a.m., and said he told police he heard an alarm going off at 20 Wilke Trail Sunday evening as he was walking past.
“There’s been problems at that house for a long time. Since we’ve lived here, police have been here quite often. I’m almost certain there was a home invasion here last summer as well,” he said.
For now, he’s waiting for the police to come speak with him and said his inquiries have so far gone unanswered.
“It’s really disappointing from a police perspective. I think we have a right to know, as neighbours, what’s going on,” he said.
At publication time, police had not responded to questions about the alleged history of incidents at 20 Wilke Trail.
None of the neighbours said they knew the residents of 20 Wilke Trail well and no one answered the door at the home.
On Monday, police described the suspects as:
- Suspect No. 1: Male, Black, skinny, short curly hair, possibly dreadlocks, wearing a puffy jacket
- Suspect No. 2: Male, Black, skinny, wearing a black sweater
- Suspect No. 3: Male, Black, large build
- Suspect No. 4: Male, Black, wearing a blue sweater
Investigators are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying the suspects. Anyone with information, security or dashcam footage is asked to contact Det.-Const. Strilec at 905-775-3311, or 705-436-2141, ext. #1059, email [email protected], or contact Crime Stoppers.
