Toronto police say they’re looking for three suspects after one man was killed and five others were hurt in a shooting Tuesday night.
Around 8:40 p.m., police said they were called to the area of Flemington Road and Zachary Court, near Yorkdale Mall, for reports of a shooting.
The shooting initially caused confusion as police and paramedics rushed to the scene, offering differing casualty numbers. By the time all victims had been taken to hospital, the number of people who had been shot stood at six.
In total, there were four men and one woman with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. One other man was confirmed dead by police just before 10 p.m.
Duty senior officer Baheer Sarvanandan told reporters a large number of officers and paramedics had been dispatched to the scene.
“This is a very complex, large scene, with many officers attending to the scene to make sure that the ambulances had access and egress to take them to the hospital in time,” he said.
Get daily National news
Sarvanandan added that there was no risk to public safety.
The next day, on Wednesday afternoon, Det. Sgt. Tiffany Castell said police believed there were three suspects, whom she alleged “opened fire on a group of people” before fleeing the scene.
She said one of those injured was 17 years old, while the man who died was 31. He is the city’s 13th homicide victim so far this year.
The suspects are described as male, slim to average build, wearing dark clothing and with their faces covered. Police said all three were armed.
Castell said the shooting was targeted, but did not address whether it was gang related. She disclosed that multiple guns were fired on Tuesday evening.
The Toronto Police Association, which represents front-line officers in the city, said the site of the shooting had been difficult to manage.
“While performing life-saving measures, including using their tourniquets, our members were accosted by surrounding bystanders, hindering their efforts to provide first aid,” the union alleged in a social media post.
“But, as always, they did what needed to be done to keep themselves and others safe, even driving an ambulance to the hospital so paramedics could treat one of the victims. This could’ve been a multiple murder if it wasn’t for the efforts of our members and our partners at Toronto Paramedics and nearby hospitals.”
On Wednesday morning, as news of the shooting sank in, the local community mourned the violence and worried about the future.
“I looked through the window and I saw someone running, completely wearing black,” said Antonella, who spoke to Global and only gave her first name.
“I’m not feeling safe anymore in this area, normally it’s very calm, nobody’s doing anything.”
Pastor Delroy Sherman said the shooting should be a wake-up call to tighten gun laws in the country.
“I plead with the government all the time, especially lawmakers: please, they have the time, they have the resources and everything to change the gun laws,” he said.
“That’s what we need to do. And it shouldn’t take months or years to change the gun laws. That’s what needs to be done in our community.”
Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement on X Tuesday that she was “disturbed” by the incident. She offered condolences to the victims and their families when speaking to reporters Wednesday morning.
“Toronto police have been briefing my office and they are actively investigating the situation,” she said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Comments