Gatineau police arrested eight people after gunshots left one man dead and another battling serious injuries early Thursday morning.
Police say they were called to Cabaret le Pink strip club on Aylmer Road as St-Jean Baptiste Day celebrations were wrapping up at about 3 a.m.
The investigation led them away from the club towards the police station down the road. There, they found a silver Honda Civic hatchback with Ontario plates splattered with blood and battered by bullets.
A 19-year-old man is dead as a result of the incident. A 16-year-old boy is being treated in an Ottawa hospital and is expected to live. He has not yet been interviewed by police.
Investigators believe the two men were shot in the car together.
By noon, eight people were in police custody and under heavy questioning. At least one was arrested more than seven kilometres away from the crime scene in Gatineau's Hull sector.
So far, police say those under arrest are not co-operating. No charges have been laid.
There is no confirmation on whether the incident is gang-related. However, residents in the area told CTV Ottawa the strip club is known as a gang hang-out. They also said it is not the first time gunshots have been heard near the club.
"This isn't the first time, there's been some shootings around a few times now," said Li Chen. "I think the last one was a few months ago. There's been some shootings at the Pink, and a drive-by at the lights."
Still, nearby restaurant owner Andre Sourges says the incident comes as a shock.
"You can't really grasp that that's happened in your backyard," said Sourges, owner of Dinty's Restaurant.
The police investigation is ongoing.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua
