Officials with Toronto Police said they are at a loss for words after viewing security camera footage of a horrific mass shooting inside a newly opened Piper Arms pub in Scarborough, Ont.
Authorities say three men armed with an assault rifle and two hand guns entered the pub, near Scarborough Town Centre late Friday, and opened fire at patrons inside. The pub was celebrating its opening night.
911 calls began pouring in just after 10:30 p.m., police say.
When officers arrived on scene, they found 12 people suffering from various injuries.
It later became apparent six of those individuals had been shot, and six others sustained injuries from shattered glass.
“I am happy to report, by the grace of God, that there’s been no fatalities,” Supt. Paul MacIntyre told the press late Friday.
None of the injuries are life-threatening. The victims ages are between 20 and mid-50.
Authorities say the three suspects, who were wearing masks, are still at large. No suspect description or vehicle description was available late Friday. Their weapons have also not been found.
During a media scrum outside the pub, police were asked whether tow truck turf wars could be a motive behind the shooting, or whether it was at random.
“We’re open to that, but we haven’t confirmed anything yet. We’re looking at who the owners are, who the patrons are.” said MacIntyre.
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On Instagram, a post from the pub’s account announced the Scarborough location will be open Mar. 7. The shooting appears to have happened 10 hours after the establishment first opened its doors.
Police say when the gunmen opened fire, many patrons ducked under chairs for cover, or fell to the ground immediately after being shot.
MacIntyre recounts how “horrified” he was to see the gunmen’s lack of hesitation captured on the security cameras.
“We’ve seen a lot of shootings, a lot of videos. But tonight’s shooting – these guys just looked at the crowd and opened fire.”
MacIntyre proceeded to describe the ‘eerie’ crime scene that first-responders walked into.
“There’s blood all over the floor…There’s blood in the basement,” he said.
“The drinks are still on the table. The food is still on the table. Peoples’ purses, shoes, they’re still in there.”
The mayor of Canada’s largest city said Saturday she is deeply troubled by the mass shooting.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she was working at city hall late Friday night when police told her about the mass shooting and provided regular updates.
“It is troubling because of the magnitude of the shootings and the number of people hurt, and I don’t want to speculate as to the why and how,” Chow told a news conference Saturday morning.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also denounced the gun violence on Saturday.
“The shooting that took place last night in Scarborough was a brazen act of violence that will not be tolerated,” Ford said. “The Toronto Police Service has my full support as they bring those responsible to justice.”
Ford said his thoughts are with the victims of the attacks and their families, adding in a social media post: “I’m praying that all those affected by this terrible shooting make a full recovery.”
As police continue their investigation, MacIntyre said they’re ‘leaving no stone unturned,’ with the service dedicating as much personnel as it can to the case.
Anyone with information, or video footage, is asked to contact police.
Scarborough Centre Councillor Michael Thompson visited the site early Saturday.
“The gun violence that occurred in this particular establishment last night will and has left a mark not only to the community but to those people who were immediately affected by the incident that occurred,” he said.
“It must have been extremely frightening for all those people who were celebrating and enjoying themselves and having a good time when this brazened and cowardly act was conducted on those attending this opening of this new business in the community.”
With files from David Friend, The Canadian Press.
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