Fatal shooting in Yorkville was ‘unprovoked attack on defenseless man’: police

The fatal shooting of Matthew Staikos in Yorkville Monday night was an “unprovoked attack on a defenceless man,” Toronto police say.

Staikos, 37, was shot and killed at the intersection of Bay Street and Yorkville Avenue around 11:30 p.m.

Officers responded to the scene after they received numerous reports of someone being shot.

A Toronto Paramedics spokesperson told Global News people in the area waved down a passing ambulance for help. Paramedics tended to Staikos, but he died at the scene.

Det. Omar Khan told reporters on Friday police are looking for a male suspect who fled the area southbound on Bay Street in a four-door grey or silver newer-model Mercedes.

The man is being described as being around five-foot-10 with a slim to medium build. He was wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident and is said to be in his mid-20s to early 30s.

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Police have released surveillance video and images of the vehicle.

Khan said they have spoken to Staikos’ family, friends and acquaintances, who are all “struggling” with the situation.

“They’re not only struggling with the loss of their loved one but they cannot grasp why this would have happened and I hope through our investigation that we can give them some answers,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They're not only struggling with the loss of their loved one but they cannot grasp why this would have happened and I hope through our investigation that we can give them some answers," he said.

According to profiles on Facebook and LinkedIn, Staikos was the CEO of Vleepo, a technology company based out of Toronto that provides a messaging platform for group chats.

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Khan said it appears the suspect intended to shoot Staikos but it is unclear at this time whether or not the suspect and victim knew each other and whether the incident was a “targeted” shooting.

“We have no reason to believe they knew each other,” Khan said.

WATCH: ‘This was an unprovoked attack on a defenseless man’: Toronto police on fatal Yorkville shooting

1:38 ‘This was an unprovoked attack on a defenseless man’: Toronto police on fatal Yorkville shooting

The fatal shooting was the second in as many days in a slew of violent homicides in the city of Toronto.

On Monday, 21-year-old Venojan (Veno) Suthesan was gunned down in the city’s east end near Lester B. Pearson Collegiate Institute.

Late Wednesday, 18-year-old Israel Edwards died in a brazen shooting at Yonge-Dundas Square.

READ MORE: Police release graphic video of fatal shooting in downtown Toronto, looking to identify suspects

Toronto Mayor John Tory issued a statement on Thursday condemning the recent shootings.

“The incidents of gun violence we have seen in our city in the past few days are shocking and can in no way be accepted or brushed aside,” he said.

“This morning, I spoke to Chief Mark Saunders about last night’s murder and other recent acts of violence in our city. I have been assured that Toronto police are doing everything possible to bring the perpetrators of these despicable crimes to justice.”​

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This morning, I spoke to Chief Mark Saunders about last night's murder and other recent acts of violence in our city. I have been assured that Toronto police are doing everything possible to bring the perpetrators of these despicable crimes to justice."​

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477

—With files from Nick Westoll and Alana MacLeod