Recent Yorkdale shooting ‘could happen anywhere’: security expert

A third shooting at Yorkdale Shopping Centre since 2009 has one security consultant saying it “could happen anywhere.”

A man remains in hospital in serious condition after a shooting at Yorkdale’s Joey restaurant Saturday morning.

The man was shot several times when nearly two dozen bullets ripped through the window of the restaurant, located on the west side of the shopping centre.

“They’re (Yorkdale security) doing everything they can possibly do,” says Chris Menary, security consultant. “People have to understand that when these thugs and bad guys are doing their crimes, they have no regard for life.”

This is the third shooting at the mall since 2009.

A shooting in March killed Michael Nguyen, 23, and injured another man. Police believe it was gang-related.

In 2009, a security guard was shot during an armed robbery. He was not critically injured.

Menary says Yorkdale’s uniformed security has increased since the last two shootings.

“Yorkdale has great coverage around the building,” he says.

The mall remains open, but police are still searching for two male suspects linked to the shooting outside Joey’s restaurant.

The first is between 5’10” and 6’0”, has a medium build and was wearing black pants and a jacket that was black on the top half and red on the bottom. The second suspect is between 5’10” and 6’0”, has a medium build and was wearing light coloured pants and a grey hoodie.

Menary says to remain vigilant when in crowded places like a mall.

“There’s thousands of people that come through a mall a day and you can’t tell who’s a criminal and who’s carrying a gun,” he says.

Yorkdale Mall officials refused to comment.