One man is dead after an early morning shooting at Sherbourne Street and Queen Street East.
Police said they received the call for the shooting at 7:45 a.m. ET on Sunday.
The victim, who was later identified as 41-year-old Toronto resident Anthony Earl Smith, was transported to St. Michael’s Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
A nearby resident identifying himself as “Cliff” said he saw paramedics performing live saving efforts on the victim.
“I saw a woman from EMS pumping his stomach, trying to relieve him, to wake him up,” Cliff said.
“I knew right away – you wouldn’t have to be told – that this person was gone.”
Det. Rob North said while it’s still early in the investigation, the incident was likely not a random shooting.
“The act was probably not a random act,” North said.
“As to how well they knew each other and their interaction, that’s going to form our investigation.”
North said they are now looking for at least two suspects.
One suspect is as male, approximately 5’8” in build.
Queen St. East was closed in both directions between Sherbourne and Berkeley streets on Sunday, but it has since been re-opened.
This marks the first homicide in Toronto for 2017 and Mayor John Tory said while Toronto is one of the safest big cities, he hopes more people will come forward in 2017 to help police investigations.
“We are going to have to continue to work with the police … somebody saw something last night, and I hope they will come forward,” Tory said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto Police 416-808-5100.