‘Brazen’ shooting kills Toronto rapper Murda Mars

ABOVE: Rapper “Murda Mars” murdered in wild car chase in downtown Toronto. Cindy Pom reports. 

TORONTO – Police are hunting for suspects after a Toronto-area rapper was killed and another woman was injured during a “brazen” shooting in Cabbagetown overnight.

Shmar Parris, 25, was gunned down inside a car just before 2:30 a.m. on Mutual Street near Gould. The car crashed into a telephone pole near Carlton and Parliament streets after the shooting.

Police have identified the victim as 25-year-old Shmar Parris, a Toronto artist who raps under the pseudonym, Murda Mars.

Global News has learned Parris had a long criminal record including a fraud conviction in 2009 and numerous drug possession offenses, however some of those were withdrawn.

“It’s a brazen attack. Based on the location, shooting at a moving vehicle is gutsy. It’s stupid actually,” Detective Sergeant Steve Ryan told reporters Friday morning.

Parris was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition but later succumbed to his injuries.

Police say the suspects fled in a light-coloured SUV and headed westbound on the Gardiner Expressway.

“We’re looking for people to have a lookout for any SUV that may have damage on its right side,” said Det. Sgt. Ryan.

Authorities believe an altercation involving the car and the SUV began prior to the collision and the shooting was targeted.

Two other people were inside the car at the time of the shooting.

A female passenger was shot in the torso but made her own way to hospital. Her injuries are not considered life-threatening.

The third passenger was not injured.

Police are actively looking for footage of the incident and are asking businesses nearby to come forward.

– With files from Cindy Pom