A man was shot multiple times inside of a south Etobicoke townhome during a “violent home invasion,” marking Toronto’s third homicide investigation in less than a day, police said Thursday.
Toronto police said emergency crews were called to the area of Long Branch Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West in the city’s west end at 2:25 a.m. Thursday for reports of someone shot inside of an apartment unit.
In an update Thursday afternoon, Det. Sgt. Brandon Price clarified that the shooting happened inside of a townhome.
“We have learned that three suspects approached and forced entry into the townhouse armed with a firearm,” Price said.
“There (were) two occupants within the residence at the time. A demand for personal valuables was made and a struggle ensued.”
A 30-year-old man was shot multiple times and the suspects fled the home, Price said.
They got into a white or light-coloured sedan and went south on Long Branch Avenue before turning west on Lake Shore Boulevard West, he said.
Officers arrived at the scene, performed first aid and the victim was taken by paramedics to hospital via an emergency run, Price said.
He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The victim didn’t live at the townhouse and was visiting, Price said.
The other person who was inside of the home, who Price said is the resident and was a friend to the victim, wasn’t injured. They have been spoken to by police.
Price said it’s believed that the incident was targeted, in the sense that the suspects were seeking personal valuables owned by the homeowner.
He said the incident wasn’t vehicle-related.
It’s not clear how the suspects reportedly knew about the valuables, or if they knew the victims.
“This was a violent home invasion. There was entry that was forced and there was violence inside of the unit and ultimately the 30 year old was shot a number of times,” Price said.
No shots were fired outside of the townhouse.
Price said the three suspects appeared to have been wearing all dark clothing and ski masks or balaclavas to conceal their identities.
“A thorough video canvass is currently underway,” Price said.
“We are processing the scene on the outside at this point and will be moving into the interior of the residence following that.”
Shooting follows 2 other homicide investigations launched just hours earlier
The fatal shooting came after two other homicide investigations were launched in Toronto just hours earlier.
At around 11:19 a.m. on Wednesday, paramedics were called to an apartment in the Lawrence and Morningside avenues area of Scarborough for a medical complaint.
A man was found dead inside of the apartment, police said.
Officers were called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and it was later deemed a homicide.
Then just before midnight, emergency crews were called to the Church and Shuter streets area.
A man was pushed from a balcony and rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Officers are looking for one male suspect and three persons of interest in that case.
It is unknown what exactly led to the incident.
— With files from Gabby Rodrigues