As officers try to identify two suspects connected with the fatal shooting of 61-year-old Peggy Ann Smith, Toronto police said she was likely an innocent bystander.
“I believe the shooting was targeted, however I do not believe Peggy or her family present at the time were the intended targets,” Det. David Dickinson said during a press conference Tuesday at the scene of the shooting.
“In my opinion, it’s a cowardly act.”
READ MORE: Police identify fatal shooting victim as 61-year-old Toronto woman
The shooting occurred around 6:10 p.m. Saturday near Don Mount Court and Kintyre Avenue, south-west of Broadview Avenue and Dundas Street East, where officers found Smith in an alley. She later died at the scene.
Police released a short video of two male suspects who were seen walking south toward the shooting scene and running north. They were last seen near Dundas Street East and Hamilton Street.
He said 10 shots were fired sending Smith and her family running for cover.
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“We’re lucky there weren’t more injuries,” Dickinson said.
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Dickinson said he believes a group of approximately five men standing near Smith and her family were the intended targets. He said he spoke with “a few” of those men, but he said he does not have all of their identities. Dickinson asked for the remaining men to come forward and speak with him.
Police have released descriptions of the suspects wanted in connection with the fatal shooting.
The first suspect is described by police as a man in his 20s, standing 5’6”, with a brown complexion, a full beard and an average build. He was last seen wearing dark pants, a grey sweater with the hood up and a black baseball cap.
The second suspect is described as a male, late teens or early 20s, standing 5’11’’, with a dark complexion and a skinny build. He was last seen wearing dark pants, and a grey sweater with the hood up. The sweater may have a dark band running horizontal at bottom.
A visitation for Smith will be held at the Giffen-Mack Funeral Home and Cremation Centre near Danforth Avenue and Main Street on Friday between 4 and 8 p.m. A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
With files from Mark Carcasole
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