A senior police official says he is “shocked” after a man was killed in a daytime shooting in a “quiet” midtown Toronto neighbourhood, while investigators are searching for two suspects seen fleeing the area.
Toronto police said an unnamed man, around 30 years old, was shot at close range through the driver’s side window of a luxury SUV in an alley on Cowbell Lane, near Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue, just before 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Paramedics said the man was pronounced dead at the scene and homicide detectives are investigating.
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Police said two male suspects were seen fleeing the area in a black car, with one spotted wearing a green construction vest and the other wearing an orange construction vest.
The suspects are considered armed and dangerous and police said they should not be approached if spotted.
“I was outside and we heard this loud, ‘Bang! Bang! Bang!'” said Jessie Leamon, who works in the area. “That’s where everyone in the office walks through so it’s scary.”
A tarp was seen draped over a white Range Rover that had numerous bullet holes in the window at the scene and police said no other passengers were in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
“I heard one shot and then five shots rapidly afterwards and I just knew it was a gunshot,” said Nick Giordano, who lives across the street from where the shooting took place.
“It’s just unimaginable, it’s just devastating. Right here in our own beautiful city. I just can’t believe it.”
53 Division Unit Commander Supt. Reuben Stroble told reporters at the scene that Yonge and Eglinton is a “very quiet neighbourhood” and it was a “big surprise for this area — especially at this time of day.”
He added that the public should still feel safe and that there would be increased police visibility in the area. There are at least five schools in the surrounding area and the shooting occurred just steps away from the Eglinton subway station.
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“We will find out who you are and you will be arrested,” Stroble said of the suspects. “Get a lawyer, turn yourself in.”
Stroble said he could not discuss details of the investigation in regards to the construction outfits the suspects were reportedly wearing at the time of the shooting.
Investigators are speaking to witnesses and looking at surveillance footage in the area in an attempt to identify the suspects.
“We’re all shocked,” Stroble said of the brazen shooting, while adding that police would be increasing patrols in the area.
“The public should feel safe. We’re doing everything in our power to keep the public safe.”
Stroble said he could not confirm how many shots were fired or if the shooting was targeted.
With files from Ashley Carter
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