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Canada-wide warrants issued for 2 men involved in Toronto playground shooting that injured 2 children

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Canada-wide warrants issued for 2 suspects wanted in playground shooting in Toronto
Det. Sgt. Jim Gotell says two men wanted in connection to a playground shooting in east-end Toronto are still believed to be in the city and are asking anyone with information about their whereabouts to come forward – Jun 29, 2018

Toronto police have issued Canada-wide arrest warrants for two men allegedly involved in a playground shooting in east-end Toronto that seriously injured two children.

Police said first responders were called to a residential complex in the McCowan Road and Steeles Avenue East area at around 5 p.m. on June 14.

Det. Sgt. Jim Gotell said during an update on Friday at Toronto police headquarters that two men carrying handguns exited a vehicle and began firing shots at a man who was at the playground with a young child.

Police said two sisters, five and nine years old, were both shot and rushed to the Hospital for Sick Children with serious injuries.

Gotell said the older sibling was shot in the leg and the younger one was shot in the abdomen. Both required multiple surgeries and are now at home recovering.

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READ MORE: Photographs of 2 suspects released in Toronto playground shooting that injured 2 girls

Investigators said at least 10 rounds were fired at the intended target where around 11 children were also playing.

“We’ve been told that a lot of these children are suffering from nightmares and they don’t want to go back to the parks that they were playing in before this,” Gotell said. “We consider these children to be victims of this.”

Police said they were able to locate the vehicle involved in the shooting and the driver in Pickering just east of Toronto, 18 hours after the shots were fired.

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Gotell said the driver, identified as 21-year-old Sheldon Eriya, was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder as well as several other charges.

VIDEO: Police on the hunt for two suspects, while girls shot in playground recover

Click to play video: 'Police on the hunt for two suspects, while girls shot in playground recover'
Police on the hunt for two suspects, while girls shot in playground recover

READ MORE: Man arrested in connection to Toronto playground shooting that sent 2 girls to hospital

Last week, police released the photographs of two more suspects identified as 24-year-old Tarrick Rhoden and 23-year-old T’Quan Robertson.

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Tarrick Rhoden, 23, (left) and T’Quan Robertson, 23, (right), are both wanted in an attempted murder investigation. Handout / Toronto Police Service

Both are wanted on suspicion of attempted murder, two counts each aggravated assault, and discharge of a firearm with intent.

“The Toronto Police Service would like to caution the members of the public that anybody who provides assistance to Mr. Robertson or Mr. Rwoden, may be guilty of an offence called accessory after the fact and this offence is punishable by up to 14 years in jail,” Gottell said.

Police said that both men wanted in the shooting are considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

Gotell said investigators are still looking for the man initially targeted in the shooting.

“We know who he is and we have been looking for him for the past two weeks,” Gotell said. “We have encouraged him in the past to come forward and speak to police about this.”

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Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-4200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.

VIDEO: Suspect arrested in Toronto playground shooting

Click to play video: 'Suspect arrested in Toronto playground shooting'
Suspect arrested in Toronto playground shooting

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