Durham Regional Police say one man is dead after shots were fired behind the Pickering Recreation Complex Sunday morning.
Officers responded around 6:30 a.m. in the area of the recreation centre on Valley Farm Road, located just south west of Finch Avenue and Brock Road in Pickering.
Investigators located a male victim with obvious signs of trauma. He was transported to trauma centre with life-threatening injuries. Police said the man died on the way to hospital.
On Monday, the victim was identified as 24-year-old Matthew Ruscitti.
Officers said multiple shots were fired and there were reports of multiple suspects fleeing the area.
Cst. George Tudos told media that officers will be canvassing the scene for indications of what happened.
“We’re going to have numerous officers on foot, this is a rather large area,” he said. “So they will be looking for any evidence, anything that was left behind by suspects.”
One witness told Global News that while he was walking his dog, he saw two men and heard about five gun shots go off.
Frances Binder, a resident in the area, said it’s a comfortable area but was shocked to see the police presence when she opened her windows this morning.
She said she’s a bit more scared and cautious now about going for morning walks.
“I won’t got for a walk for a while now,” she said.
There’s currently no word on suspects at this time. This is Durham region’s third homicide of the year.
The investigation is ongoing.
—With files from Matthew Bingley