THUNDER BAY -- Police believe the illegal drug trade was responsible for the death of a Thunder Bay man last week.

Det.-Insp. said, "I can confirm that there appear to have been some drug overtones during this particular investigation." John Fennell, Thunder Bay Police Service.

Fennell stated that if the investigation proves to be true, the case will become part of a worrying trend of increasing gun violence, largely linked to illegal drug trade.

Just after noon on Wednesday, police responded to reports that there had been a sudden death in 300 block of Bethune Street. Friday's announcement by the force was that it was investigating the death in homicide.

Although the TBPS received the results of a Toronto post-mortem, Fennell stated that he could not comment on the findings as the case is still under investigation.

Police have identified as the victim of the suspected murder earlier Monday.

Fennell stated that gun violence incidents are "ever-increasing", posing more dangers to the city.

He said that increased police efforts to close down local dealers are believed to be putting pressure upon the drug trade. He said it was a positive thing but he warned that it could cause more violence.

He said, "We have been learning street level and that has had an impact on them. It's causing some competition." These types of incidents may also increase as competition increases.

He said that the reported firing of a firearm Sunday evening near the scene of crime in the 100 block of Bethune Street has not been linked to the homicide.

The two incidents were investigated by separate teams as separate incidents, as of Monday.

Fennell stated that police responded to multiple shots fired at 10:30 PM Sunday and were unable find any suspects.

According to police, no one was hurt in the incident.