A downtown cannabis shop operating without legal permission in London, Ontario, was the target of an overnight shooting, leaving the establishment marred with bullet holes. The incident highlights ongoing issues related to illegal dispensaries and raises questions about safety in the area.

The shooting occurred around 3:10 a.m. on Monday when a security guard patrolling Dundas Street, near Wellington Street, reported hearing multiple “loud bangs.” Upon investigation, officers discovered 17 bullet holes in the back door of the unauthorized pot shop located at 266 Dundas Street. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Investigators from the London Police Service remained on the scene throughout Monday afternoon, meticulously documenting the damage. The cannabis store, which opened earlier this year, has been operating outside the regulations set by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which oversees licensed cannabis sales in the province.

Property records link the building to Erin Barletta, the wife of Vincent Barletta, a former strip club owner, and the brother of Robert Barletta, who is allegedly associated with the Hells Angels motorcycle club. The Barletta family has a troubling history, as several of their properties in London and surrounding areas have been the targets of suspicious fires since 2018. Just last month, another property tied to Robert Barletta was destroyed by a suspicious fire outside Montreal.

In light of the shooting, the city has taken action. Notices have been affixed to the store, indicating it has been deemed in violation of city bylaws, with the entrance boarded up for public safety. London bylaw enforcement, Orest Katolyk, confirmed that the security measures were implemented proactively due to the hazardous condition of the property.

This incident represents the eighth shooting recorded in London this year. Just days prior, another home in the east end was struck by gunfire, though, miraculously, there were no injuries or arrests in that case either.

The police are calling for witnesses. Authorities urge anyone who might have been in the vicinity of Dundas and Wellington streets between 2:45 a.m. and 3:45 a.m. on Monday, particularly those with video surveillance, to get in touch with them or with Crime Stoppers.

As the investigation continues, the unresolved issues around illegal cannabis operations in Ontario remain a pressing concern. With the ongoing violence associated with unlicensed dispensaries, it poses not just a risk for those involved but also for the surrounding community.