‘There has to be a reason’: Police seek witnesses after fatal shooting in Rexdale

The victim of a fatal shooting in Rexdale Saturday night has been identified, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Police said officers responded to several reports about shots fired at Arcot Boulevard and Tandridge Crescent, near Albion Road and Islington Avenue around 8:45 p.m.

Officers located a male victim lying outside of 75 Tandridge Crescent. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Police have identified the victim as 34-year-old Awad Hurre, of Toronto.

Residents of the area told Global News their neighbourhood has been plagued by violence.

“I’ve been here 32 years and I’ve heard at least four people shot,” said Louise Gallant on Sunday.

Investigators believe the victim was targeted, and are looking for four male suspects who were seen fleeing in a silver vehicle, believed to be a newer model Toyota Corolla.

“For this level of violence, and this level of overkill, there has to be a reason,” said Det. Paul Worden at a press conference Sunday afternoon. “I find it improbable that members of the community do not know why this happened.”

This is the second fatal shooting in the area in only a matter of days.

Toronto police are investigating the shooting death of 22 year-old Jovane Clarke, who was gunned down at Sheridan Mall on Thursday afternoon.

Worden said that while there’s no physical evidence to suggest the murders are connected, investigators can’t ignore the similarities.

“We do not have a motive for either attack and it is hard to get direction in an investigation without a motive.”

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Investigators have appealed to the public for assistance. Worden said information has been limited.

“Based on the review of the surveillance video, for the amount of people that were in the area, I would have expected more information to have come in at this point.”

Police are also looking for a driver of a taxi who was allegedly in the area at the time and spoke with the victim prior to the incident.

There is no further information available at this time.