Toronto police are warning the public after a local man found a loaded handgun, suspected of being used in a fatal shooting in the city’s north end, and accidentally fired it at a typewriter.
Homicide Det.-Sgt. Joyce Schertzer said Wednesday a resident of Bowie Street found a loaded semi-automatic pistol in his backyard Tuesday and decided to pick it up.
“This firearm appeared to be in poor condition, however was fully functional and a round was accidentally discharged,” she said, adding that no one was injured.
“I would like to remind those who may find weapons on their property not to touch the items no matter how inoperable they may appear due to poor condition. They may pose a great threat to the safety of those handling them.”
READ MORE: Toronto police release graphic video of ‘choreographed’ shooting of Hamilton man
Schertzer said the handgun was “decrepit” looking, which is why the resident may have picked it up thinking it didn’t work, and it was accidentally fired into a typewriter being stored in a nearby garage.
“Initially it looked like it may have been there for a while, and it was the opinion of the finder that it wasn’t operable and certainly I don’t believe that he thought it was loaded,” she said.
“It’s a matter of locating a weapon that you clearly know isn’t your property and picking it up — just leave it. Leave the weapon where you found it.”
WATCH: Toronto police issue warning after handgun possibly connected to fatal shooting found, accidentally fired. Ashley Molnar reports.
Schertzer said it is believed the handgun is connected to the killing of Leonard Pinnock, 33, of Hamilton, who was shot multiple times by two assailants while sitting in a parked vehicle on Dufferin Street and Bowie Avenue around 9:30 p.m. April 21.
Police said Pinnock, who was not from the area, travelled to the location as a favour to a friend and was waiting for him to arrive when he was shot and killed.
Investigators released dramatic surveillance footage of the “unprovoked” shooting on May 25 and Schertzer said there was nothing in Pinnock’s background to suggest a reason for a motive.
In the video, two men can be seen approaching the vehicle from Bowie Street and opening fire in what Schertzer deemed “a choreographed manner.”
READ MORE: Man fatally shot in Toronto’s north end was from Hamilton
In addition to the gun, Schertzer said the neighbour also found a black Nike hooded sweatshirt and Gucci bag similar to those the suspect was wearing in the surveillance video.
Schertzer said Wednesday the community had provided “overwhelming cooperation” to police, but investigators are still working to connect with the “inner circle” of the suspects.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that those who are familiar with those two individuals know who they are and I’m asking those members of their friends, family, associates whomever, to come forward and identify them,” she said, adding that a motive had still not been determined but Pinnock may not have been the intended target.
“Our investigative team has a very open mind with regards to motive and that’s certainly one of the things that we’re attempting to answer — mistaken identity.”
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Police release dramatic footage of fatal shooting of Hamilton man in Toronto
Police are still waiting test results on the gun to confirm it was connected to the killing of Pinnock, but forensic investigators will rule out the DNA and fingerprints of the resident who found it.
The two suspects are considered to be armed and dangerous and police said members of the public should not approach them if spotted.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
With files from Jessica Patton
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