Police Hunt Hitman Who Shot Woman With a Crossbow

The would-be hitman, captured on surveillance camera. (Peel Regional Police)

Police in Canada are searching for a suspected hitman who posed as a delivery man and shot a woman with a crossbow.

“This was most definitely a targeted type of attack,” Peel Police Detective Sgt. Jim Kettles told reporters at a press conference on Monday, April 15. “The crossbow was never removed from the box.”

Police called the incident, which was caught on surveillance camera, a “premeditated, targeted, and isolated attack.”

Footage from the camera shows the attempted killer standing outside the victim’s door with a cardboard box, inside of which he had hidden a crossbow.

A close-up view of the suspect, captured on surveillance camera, on Nov. 7, 2018. (Peel Regional Police)

Moments later, the 44-year-old victim opens her door and the two of them exchange words before the attacker fires a large arrow into the woman’s body.

Kettles said the victim was hit in the chest and suffered life-threatening injuries but survived.

“It is clear that this attack was meant to end the victim’s life,” Kettles said. “Comments made to the victim (by the suspect) indicate the victim was targeted and that the suspect may have carried out the attack at the request of another individual.”

Detective Sgt. Jim Kettles answers questions at a press conference on April 15, 2019. (Peel Regional Police)

The would-be assassin struck on Nov. 7, 2018, but police are only just now releasing the video of the suspect.

Police said the woman, a resident of Bayberry Drive in the city of Mississauga, Ontario, was transported to a trauma center after the attack.

Kettles said the woman, who has not been identified by name, was still struggling to recover from the trauma.

“The injuries that she sustained were absolutely devastating,” Kettles said, adding that the weapon used by the suspect was a crossbow that could be used to take down big game like moose.

A high-powered crossbow of the type used in the attack, on Nov. 4, 2018. (Peel Regional Police)

“It involved damage to a lot of her internal organs,” Kettles added. “She’ll be in recovery phase for the rest of her life … Her life will never be the same.”

While the police have identified “potential motives” for the attempted murder, these have not been disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.

Arrows of the type used in the attempted assassination, on Nov. 7, 2018. (Peel Regional Police)

Superintendent Heather Raymore told the press conference that “this was not a random act,” adding that the police are appealing for the public’s help in finding the suspect.

“We are confident with assistance from the public and with current facial recognition technology we will bring those responsible for the attack to justice,” Raymore said.

A vehicle that was allegedly driven by the suspect. (Peel Regional Police)

“We are open to anything at this point,” Kettles said, “and we are looking at all possible investigative avenues.”