Young gunmen spray bullets around Kuujjuaq

Cops arrest three, but continue to investigate

By JANE GEORGE

Young men fired rifles into the streets of Kuujjuaq in two separate incidents last week, frightening the community and prompting three arrests

The most recent incident is alleged to have occurred Oct. 14, when someone took potshots at the Makivik Corp. head office, the Iqitauvik child care centre and heavy equipment located nearby.

Members of the Kativik Regional Police Force responded to a call reporting gunshots at around 3:00 a.m., Oct. 14 , Robert Mackey, a senior communications officer with the Kativik Regional Government, told Nunatsiaq News.

KRPF constables discovered that buildings and a loader had been damaged, he said.

No injuries were reported.

“The KRPF has identified a small number of youth suspects and is continuing its investigation,” Mackey said.

In a previous incident alleged to have occurred Oct. 9, three young men are accused of firing .22 caliber and 30-30 caliber rifles in Kuujjuaq.

In connection with this incident, Isaac Gordon, 23, faces four separate charges, including careless use of a .22 caliber and of a 30-30 caliber rifle, possessing a weapon “for a purpose dangerous to the public peace,” and using a firearm to force a minor to steal an all-terrain vehicle.

Also, Willie Partridge Jr., 18, faces two charges of possessing a weapon “for a purpose dangerous to the public peace” and careless use of a .22 caliber.

A youth, 16, also faces four separate firearms charges in connection with the Oct. 9 incident.

The trio will return to court on Oct. 26 in Kuujjuaq.

Firearms incidents in Nunavik rose from nine in 2007 to 11 in 2008 and up to 14 by March of 2009, according to statistics tabled last spring at a KRG council meeting,

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