'We called a Code Silver': LHSC goes into lockdown after shooting outside emergency department

Bullet hole seen at Victoria Hospital in London, Ont. on Dec. 14, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)

The emergency department (ED) doors at LHSC Victoria Campus were being repaired Saturday morning after a person fired a gun into the glass.

A repairman was fixing the glass as security directed those attempting to attend the ED, who were re-routed into the ambulance entrance.

The London Police Service is investigating a shooting that happened overnight.

“It was a very serious incident where, unfortunately, there was a shooting that occurred in front of the Victoria Hospital emergency department,” said David Musyj, London Health Sciences Centre supervisor.

“The victim was either shot before he got here or shot when he was exiting his vehicle. He came into the emergency department and then a police investigation ensued after that.”

Police tape seen at Victoria Hospital in London, Ont. on Dec. 14, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)

In the early morning hours of Saturday, around 2:30 a.m., police were called to the incident in the area of Commissioners Road East and Wellington Road.

When officers arrived on scene, they saw a pickup truck that hit a cement pillar outside of the emergency room entrance to Victoria Hospital.

They said evidence was found that a gun was shot multiple times and the vehicle and outside of the building were hit by bullets.

One man is in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Musyj confirms LHSC went into lockdown at 2:34 a.m. as the individual was assessed by medical professionals.

“We have what's called a Code Silver,” said Musyj.

“We called the Code Silver, and it pretty much goes into a lockdown situation. We work both internally to make sure our staff and patients are safe, and then also work with the London Police Service. The all clear came about an hour later, but in the meantime, we have to deal with the consequences of this situation.”

Police vehicles were parked outside the ED Saturday morning.

London police vehicles seen outside of Victoria Hospital in London, Ont. on Dec. 14, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)

Investigators don’t think this was a random incident. Through the investigation, the LPS learned there was an earlier altercation between the victim and suspect near White Oaks Road and Southdale Road.

The suspect vehicle is a four-door silver or grey sedan, potentially a Hyundai Sonata.

Everyone in the area is asked to check security and dashcam footage on Saturday morning between 2:10 and 2:35 for potential evidence that could help the investigation.

Musyj said the ED is open, but encourages people to attend University Hospital or Urgent Care, if possible, as LHSC focuses on staff and patients.

He said the hospital does have bullet protections on the glass, but nothing is 100 per cent safe.

“This will allow us to take a look at both hospital campuses and the security and continue to enhance that,” said Musyj.

“In the immediate term is to enhance we have, increase both security and police presence at both campuses because our staff once again have to take care of patients, and they have to continue with their days. They're beyond resilient and they just show how important they are because in the grand scheme of this, they didn’t lose a beat, and they keep going. I have to give a lot of credit to the staff and the patients who were in here at the relevant time to work through this.”

The investigation is ongoing, and information will be released as police deem fit.

If you have any information related to this investigation, you’re asked to call the LPS at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Anonymous tips can also be sent online.