Police are treating an incident where a vehicle struck several people on a downtown Toronto pedestrian walkway as a deliberate but isolated act, as their early investigation folds.
Multiple people walking on a pathway at Toronto Metropolitan University were hit by the vehicle that fled the scene Tuesday, Toronto police say.
At 1:54 p.m., police said it received reports of several pedestrians being hit by a vehicle that did not stay at the scene.
Police said the incident occurred on Nelson Mandela Walk at Toronto Metropolitan University – a walkway at the school. Four people were injured, and two were taken to hospital.
The university said the pedestrians were struck near its Jorgenson Hall.
“It is still early in this investigation but at this time it appears like it may have been an intentional targeting of a specific individual on the walkway,” Toronto police Duty Insp. Todd Jocko said at the scene.
“We are still working to confirm all of those details, however, at this stage, it appears to be an isolated incident.”
Toronto paramedics told Global News of the two people taken to hospital, one had serious injuries while the other had non-life-threatening injuries.
A total of four people were considered to be injured in the collision but two declined medical treatment, according to police. The remaining two were taken to hospital where they remained on Tuesday afternoon.
Police said the suspect vehicle was a green sedan with a cracked windshield. They said it had the license plate DEDZ565 and was last seen heading eastbound on Gould Street towards Church Street.
Insp. Jocko said police believed the target and the suspect may be known to one another. He said those injured at the scene were believed to be bystanders and not the potential intended target.
Police are continuing to canvass witnesses and look through security footage.
TMU said in a statement help was available for impacted students.
“Our thoughts are with those who have been injured and impacted by this incident,” the statement read. “We remind our community members that university support services are available for those who need them.”
Toronto Coun. Chris Moise said he had attended the scene to support the local university. He said it was “really tragic” to hear about the events that unfolded on the campus.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.