Police are on the hunt for a masked gunman wanted in connection to a brazen shooting at a Toronto bar that left one man dead and four others seriously injured late Monday night.
Toronto police and paramedics were called to the Libertarian Public House at the corner of Sherbourne Street and Queen Street East after 11:15 p.m. with reports of a shooting.
Surveillance video released by police on Tuesday shows the suspect entering the patio area and firing shots at an “intended target” in close proximity to other patrons.
“When the shooting begins, everyone begins to scramble. They try to hide under tables and the gunman approaches the intended victim and continues firing,” Det. Hank Idsinga told reporters during a press conference Tuesday morning.
“He’s obviously not in complete control of his firearm and some stray bullets are ricocheting and striking these other victims.”
WATCH: 2 people dead in separate overnight shootings in Toronto. Catherine McDonald reports.
Investigators said the suspect fled the area by running through the bar and back onto Queen Street where he entered a vehicle and left the scene.
Police said five people in total were shot, including a 32-year-old male victim who was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Idsinga said three people were transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A fourth shooting victim managed to make their own way to hospital, police said.
“It’s definitely very callous, it’s hard to imagine really,” Idsinga said. “Innocent people shouldn’t be getting struck by bullets when they’re simply having a drink at a local bar.”
Police said the identity of the person killed will not be released as per the family’s wishes.
Idsinga said police have interviewed a number of bar employees and patrons, but hope to speak to anyone else who have yet to come forward.
“He’s 10 feet away from the target when he begins shooting,” Idsinga said. “I do want to get the video out there. I want people to see what is happening and what has happened. Hopefully motivate them to say, ‘This isn’t right. This shouldn’t be happening.'”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
With a file from David Shum
- 2 teens charged with murder in case of 16-year-old killed outside Halifax mall
- Green Party deputy leader given jail sentence for Fairy Creek old growth protests
- Cars torched, explosions heard in suspected arson in Montreal neighbourhood
- Gas station clerk stabbed several times during violent attack at Ultramar in Montreal
Comments