By: Lua Monet
On the evening of March 13th, a disturbing and violent incident unfolded near the Comic Store, Comiquities, directly across from the gas station in the city centre.
At least five individuals in the vicinity descended into a frenzy of aggression towards one another, causing nearby businesses and residents to express alarm (and as always in some cases excitement).
Eyewitnesses recounted a chaotic scene where a man brandished a gun and a woman wielded a knife, these two emerged as the main aggressors.
Their heated confrontation quickly escalated, punctuated by screaming and shots that appeared to be fired into the air. Despite the danger, being that this is Hathian, it drew a growing crowd of onlookers whose presence only fuelled the escalating tension. Amidst the turmoil, a woman, believed to be of Asian descent, raised her voice in a plea for assistance against racially-motivated aggressors. (Reckon Xena was around here? -Ed)
The man in the Michael Myers mask, suspected by some to be a recurring troublemaker in the neighbourhood (ahem -Ed), unleashed a torrent of threats towards another individual before discharging his firearm, threatening dire consequences should the victim attempt to flee.
The situation then took a drastic turn as members of the notorious Harlot gang descended upon the scene, further raising the temperature of an already volatile situation. In the ensuing chaos, the masked man fired a shot and inflicted stab wounds on multiple victims, leaving a trail of injuries in his wake.
Lack of Timely HPD Response
Notably absent from the unfolding chaos was a timely police response, with law enforcement reportedly nowhere in sight despite the incident unfolding mere blocks away from the nearest police station.
The unchecked escalation of violence in the heart of the city underscored the urgent need for enhanced security measures and a swift, effective response to such alarming incidents. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this harrowing ordeal, questions linger about the factors contributing to the breakdown of law and order in a once-vibrant city centre.
Authorities are urged by Citizens and the Observer to investigate the circumstances surrounding this delayed response and take decisive action to prevent such brazen acts of violence from recurring in the future. In the end, many people have been taken to the hospital to recover and our team is actively investigating the individuals involved and what, if any, charges they may face.
