'We all look out for each other,' residents say in aftermath of shooting at public housing complex

Residents at a public housing townhouse complex in east London say they're still reeling from the shock of a daylight shooting that sent a man to hospital with life-threatening injuries on Wednesday afternoon.

Tenants at the housing complex on Boullee Street are responding to the incident by checking up on their neighbours and taking care of each other.

"We all look out for each other and come together as a community when things look a little ugly," said Jennifer Flack, who has lived at the complex with her three kids for almost 10 years. 

"It's very rare that something severe like this [happens]. There are so many amazing people here who have so much to offer and what we all really need right now is support."

London police responded to a shooting at a home in the 300-block of the street, north of Cheapside, shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. When they arrived they found a man with a gunshot wound and took him to hospital, where he remains fighting for his life. 

The complex that is operated by London-Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH), the city's largest social housing provider. It's come under increased scrutiny in recent months following a string of deaths and violent crimes in and around LMCH buildings across the city. Advocates have pushed for increased security.

The housing provider is working with police and residents to ensure safety and address serious incidents that impact tenants and staff, a spokesperson wrote in an email. 

"LMCH staff are on-site offering support and resources to tenants, and we encourage tenants to reach out to any staff member if they have concerns so that we can address them appropriately," wrote Matt Senechal. 

"The LMCH Community Safety Unit has increased patrols and is also on-site to support the London Police Service during their investigation." 

'I don't feel safe living here'

There was a sombre atmosphere at the compound on Thursday, which is usually filled with young children playing, said Flack, adding that many families are shaken up and have mostly stayed inside their homes since the incident. 

"There's lots of kids here but it's been very quiet today and that's understandable."

Melissa Logan has lived at the complex for nine years with her teenage daughter but said the incident has amplified her concerns. 

 "We were shocked, horrified and terrified," Logan said about the shooting, which happened shortly after kids came home from school. Although she's glad none of the kids were injured, she worries that the outcome could've been different, she added.

"Up until now [my experience] was good but after the shooting, not so good. I don't feel safe living here." 

Logan wants to see increased security at the complex, including cameras. Other residents said they want improved background checks for potential tenants.

On Thursday, police told CBC News the investigation remains open and ongoing, and that they are still searching for the suspect who fled the scene in a red vehicle.

The suspect is described as a Black male with long black hair pulled up in a bandana. According to police, the suspect is approximately 6 feet tall, and was wearing a white t-shirt or tank top and dark-coloured shorts.

Police are also asking witnesses, or people who have dash-cam, exterior doorbell camera, or security camera footage in the area to contact them.