Students worry as violence continues in London

Gunshots are replacing the sound of birds chirping in the streets of London.

Continuing a violent trend in the city of London, two incidents occurred; one on Saturday, October 28 and the other on Monday, October 30.

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit was called to assist the London police in an incident occurring on Cheapside Street East of Adelaide Street on October 28. A 44-year-old male was shot dead in a shoot-out after police responded earlier that evening to a domestic dispute call.

In a separate and unrelated incident, 17-year-old Jonathan O'Hagan was shot in the stomach at approximately 9:30 p.m. in the 900 block of Huron Street on October 30. O'Hagan suffered a single gunshot wound and was taken to London Health Sciences Centre University Campus where he remained in critical condition as of last week.

Violent incidents involving firearms and other deadly weapons are becoming a regular occurrence in the city of London.

Ahmed Moalin-Mohamed, 23, opened fire in a parking lot near Richmond Street and Carling Street on October 7 resulting in 13 charges, including attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault and firearms charges.

Owen Clarke, of London, was charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon as a result of a beer bottle-slashing incident on October 22nd on Fleming Drive.

Resulting from the string of violent incidents, questions have been raised regarding the feeling of safety amongst the students of Fanshawe College.

Daniel Reardon, currently in his first year of General Studies at Fanshawe, said the recent incidents make him question his safety in London but does not want to worry about it too much.

“Being from Burlington, it is a safe town so I never had to worry about it,” Reardon said.

“These incidents make me feel unsafe, but I don't want to dwell on it too much or be looking over my shoulder.”

Second-year student in the college's photography program, Whisper Gardiner said she continues to live in Woodstock, despite the potential convenience of living in London, mostly because of the city's violent reputation.

“I always have the feeling that I can't trust anyone here (in London),” Gardiner said.

Gardiner said that her cousin, who is raising a baby, lives nearby where the incident occurred on Cheapside Street on October 28.

“She was right there when it happened and she felt really scared,” said Gardiner.

“My cousin came to London to raise her child because she thought it was a safe place to be. But now she is definitely considering moving.”

Both Reardon and Gardiner said they feel the growing size of London coincides with its crime. “London is a big town with a large downtown,” Reardon said. “The larger the town, the more crime.”

Gardiner said London is starting to resemble Toronto.

“London is becoming Toronto,” Gardiner added. “Young people are being like they are in Toronto, carrying guns, and portraying a gangster image.”

Anyone with information regarding the two latest violent incidents are asked to contact London Police Services at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 519-661-8477.