According to police, on May 1, 2015 at approximately 1:20Am the Niagara Regional Police Service Communications Unit received a 911 call regarding a violent break and enter that had just occurred at 1 Eastchester Ave in St. Catharines.  Several suspects and a gun were reportedly involved.

Uniform officers from St Catharines along with the Niagara Regional Police Service K9 unit attended the area.

While officers were on scene investigating, shots were believed to have been fired by one of the suspects.  No police officers discharged their firearms.  A gun has been recovered at the scene.

Arrests of Suspects were made in and around 1 Eastchester Ave.

Police received information that the Suspects may have been hiding within an apartment at 1 Eastchester Ave.  Fearing for public safety an apartment to apartment search was commenced with the assistance of the Emergency Task Unit.

Seven people were initially arrested.  Four remain in custody.

During the course of one of the arrests a Suspect violently resisted arrest and received minor injuries.  He was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure where he was cleared medically and released into police custody.

An officer was also injured and has been treated and released from the hospital.

All persons believed to be responsible are in custody.

This was not a random occurrence, the residence in question was targeted by the culprits.

The scene will be held as the investigation is ongoing by members of the 1 District Criminal Investigation Branch and the Forensic Services Unit.

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