Three people have died from “crossbow bolt injuries” in a usually quiet east-end Toronto neighbourhood Thursday afternoon and police have taken a 35-year-old man into custody. Homicide investigators say the incident is also connected to a suspicious package investigation at a downtown Toronto condominium but have released few details.
Toronto police responded to a home near Lawndale Road and Argo Road, in the Eglinton Avenue East and Markham Road area, just before 1 p.m. for a reported stabbing.
“When our officers from 43 Division arrived they found the lifeless bodies of three individuals,” Det.-Sgt. Mike Carbone said. “They also took one person into custody.”
Toronto Paramedic Services confirmed to Global News they treated two adult males and an adult female with serious injuries at the scene and they were later pronounced dead.
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Residents concerned after suspected crossbow deaths -
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Police investigate after suspected crossbow attack in east-end Toronto -
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3 dead, 1 person in custody following suspected crossbow attack in Scarborough -
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Scarborough resident ‘not surprised’ by news of suspected crossbow attack -
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Raw video: Police investigate in aftermath of possible crossbow attack in Toronto
“We arrived to find people suffering injuries we believed from a crossbow bolt. Whether they were shot by that bolt, we don’t know yet, we haven’t investigated,” said Toronto police spokesperson Const. David Hopkinson.
Const. Jenifferjit Sidhu told Global News investigators had recovered a crossbow at the scene, but could not confirm if it was used as a weapon in the incident.
Police said a 35-year-old man has been taken into custody and treated in hospital for undisclosed injuries.
“I’m surprised. I’m shocked. I’m very shocked, I’ve lived here for 21 years,” said neighbour Laura Marks.
READ MORE: Deadly crossbows easy to obtain, unregulated
Local resident Ravi Ravendarn said it’s the first incident he’s seen in the normally quiet neighbourhood.
“I just moved in a year ago and people say it’s a nice and quiet area,” he said. “Now I am concerned.”
Carbone said the investigation was also linked to a suspicious package investigation at a Queens Quay condominium, which was evacuated due to safety concerns and declared safe at 5 p.m.
“There is a link to that other crime scene at Queens Quay my understanding to date is that it’s been cleared at this point,” Carbone told reporters.
“We will follow up with the officers at 14 Division and if that information becomes relevant and there’s a reason for us to release that information to the media we will make it available.”
Police said the building, which is near a building housing a daycare, was evacuated when a package was found on an unspecified floor just after 2 p.m.
The Toronto police Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense unit, more commonly known as a bomb squad, was investigating on scene and no further information has been provided.
“I’m not going to discuss what was found at the scene other than to say there is a link between our scene here and the one down on Queens Quay,” Carbone said.
“We are methodically looking through the crime scene if we find evidence and it’s something that is appropriate to release we’ll discuss that at that time.”
A number of the surrounding roads in both locations have been closed for the ongoing investigation.
No further information has been released on the identities of the man in custody or the deceased.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers.
With files from Peter Kim
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