Two people were seriously injured after a shooting in east-end Toronto Thursday night and three people are in custody, officials say.
A Toronto police spokesperson said emergency crews responded to the Danforth Road and Savarin Street area at around 10 p.m.
Officers could be seen at a bar on Danforth Road near the intersection, north of Eglinton Avenue East. Video surveillance obtained by Global News showed the front door of the bar shattering as two people ran away.
It was later reported by police that two male victims were found: one near the bar and the other near McCowan Road and Eglinton Avenue East.
A white SUV was reportedly seen leaving the area.
A Toronto Paramedics spokesperson said both individuals were taken to hospital in serious condition.
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In an update Friday morning, Toronto Police Supt. David Rydzik said both victims are expected to survive. He said there was an increased police presence in the area of the shooting due to a recent spike in gun-related incidents.
Rydzik said there have been eight instances of shots being fired — not including the most recent one — over the past month in that neighbourhood. On Aug. 12 not far from Thursday’s shooting scene a 45-year-old man, John Wheeler, was shot and killed as he waited outside of an apartment building.
He said because of the increased police presence, officers actually heard the gunshots and arrived at the scene as the suspect vehicle was leaving.
Rydzik said a pursuit followed and ended on Highway 401 near Neilson Road after the vehicle lost control. The eastbound collector lanes of Highway 401 at McCowan Road had to be shut down for the investigation. Two loaded guns were reportedly found in the crashed vehicle.
He said three teenagers from Toronto were taken into custody and later charged with multiple offences.
Meanwhile, officers continue to investigate what has led to the recent increase in shootings.
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