The Demo Site

Heavily armed police surrounded a Winnipeg house Friday morning and arrested several people in connection with the shooting of a person in a downtown restaurant.

Officers confirm the shooting at Johnny G’s on Main Street and the hours-long standoff on Sherbrook Street are related, but few other details were released.

One source told Global News the victim was a customer at Johnny G’s who was shot in the head; another source told Global News the victim was transported to hospital with no vital signs. But by mid Friday afternoon police were not providing any information on the victim’s condition or whether they were investigating a homicide.

Witnesses said up to ten people were taken out of the Sherbrook St home. All occupants were out by 11:30 Friday morning. There was no word Friday afternoon on charges being laid.

The Main Street restaurant remained taped off Friday afternoon and police forensic investigators were on scene.

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UPDATE - FEB. 15th, 2013:

A male was shot about 2 a.m. today at Johnny G's Restaurant and Bar on Main Street.

The condition of the victim is not known. The restaurant is located on Main Street just north of Broadway.

And in an incident linked to the shooting, police are involved in a standoff on the 500 block of Sherbrook Street. Heavily armed officers taking part in the standoff emerged from a Sherbrook Street apartment block about 9:30 a.m. with a man in handcuffs.

Const. Eric Hofley confirmed the 2 a.m shooting at a makeshift press conference held at the corner of Sherbrook Street and Sargent Avenue. He couldn't confirm the presence of firearms in the area but he advised residents should take precautions.

"Any neighbours seeing this (crime scene) should stay indoors and preferably in their basements for their safety," he said.

This morning, the police helicopter hovered over Sherbrook as young children -- many of them accompanied by their mothers -- made their way to nearby schools.

By mid-morning, at least three suspects had been taken away in the backs of police cruisers.

Hofley confirmed that the police negotiating team was on the scene and more suspects are expected to be taken away.

The Winnipeg Police Service tactical unit has been on the 500 block of Sherbrook, between Sargent and Ellice avenues, since early today.

Sherbrook is blocked off to motorists in that area.

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UPDATE - FEB. 16th, 2013:

Winnipeg police have officially declared a shooting that occurred downtown early Friday morning is now a homicide investigation.
Police have released the identity of the victim as 24-year-old William Edward Moar of Winnipeg.

The shooting occurred at Johnny G’s on Main Street early Friday and a residence on Sherbrook Street was swarmed by police hours later, when, “a number of persons of interest” were taken into custody.

Police spokesman Const. Eric Hofley didn’t provide many details but said the residence — at 548 Sherbrooke St. — had been visited by police in the past, though he made sure to point out there are several dwellings inside it.

“What I can say is police have been to that residence in the past but I want to point out that it is a rooming house with multiple dwellings, so I don’t know on those previous visits whether it was gang related or which specific residence (was visited).”

Some media reports had the shooting described as “execution-style”, but Hofley said there wasn’t information available to confirm that.

“That would be just their use of words. I certainly don’t have that information to give out. ... I certainly couldn’t confirm that," he said.

Members of the Winnipeg Police Service criminal investigation bureau are continuing with the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to contact investigators at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).