Business owners in Old East Village called for more support Monday as police investigated the second homicide in their neighbourhood in less than two weeks.
London Police Service responded to the 700-block of Dundas Street early Sunday morning where they found two male victims. One man died later in hospital, where the other remained Monday with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
The shooting was also the city’s second homicide of 2026. It occurred in the same block as Londoner Brandon Nichols was fatally stabbed on January 12 at 745 Dundas St. Police charged a 38-year-old London man with second-degree murder for the stabbing.
“It’s disheartening. Our businesses, our residents are concerned,” said Kevin Morrison, head of the Old East Village BIA. “We’ve been for two years now, working and working hard to improve the area.”
In a news release, police asked that anyone with information about the shooting to contact them.
Charles Innis, owner of Mystic Bookshop in the 600 block of Dundas, said that he sees many people suffering with mental health issues and homelessness and addiction in the neighbourhood.
He said police are adapting to better respond to social issues in the area but he believes that they need new tools to better accommodate those who need help.
Mystic Bookshop on Dundas Street, down the block from the shooting (credit: Lexi Saldana)
“I think we need foot patrols down here that are kind of like a walking triage unit that can identify problems before they become problems, and that means getting in amongst these people, and that means talking to them, hearing what they say are the issues,” said Innis.
“Whoever did the shooting, that’s one element, but then there are people that just happen to be suffering with homelessness, or maybe suffering with some mental health issues, and you might be surprised what some of them have to say about what would help down here.” he added.
London’s Major Crime Section was investigating the case Monday. Police did not release any details about suspects or circumstances surrounding the shooting.
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