Man critically injured in downtown St. Catharines shooting: police

A man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, police say, after an earlymorning shooting in downtown St. Catharines.

Officers were called to the area of St. Paul Street and Queen Street around 1:40 a.m. Sunday following reports of a shooting.

Policefound a 24-year-old with critical injuries and emergency crews transported him to an out-of-town hospital for treatment.

Investigators are searching for asuspect who was last seen running west near the corner of St. Paul and Ontario Streets. He's described as a black man in his early 20swith a slender build.

Police say the suspect was wearing a dark blue hooded tracksuit and a solid white stripe running down the side of the jacket and pants.

Const. Phil Gavin said some members of the public have questioned whether the incident is related to another shooting in the city earlier this month that left three people injured. But, he noted, while police will examine that possibility, they currently have no evidence that points to a connection between the two shootings.

Anyone with information about the Sunday shooting is asked tocontact police at (905) 688-4111 option 4, (9046).