Toronto police say two men have been charged in connection with a “brazen” daylight shooting that left four injured, including an innocent 12-year-old boy who remains in life-threatening condition.
Officers were called to Stong Court, north of Jane Street and Finch Avenue, at 2:22 p.m. for multiple reports of the sound of gunshots on Saturday.
Toronto Police Chief James Ramer said two vehicles were in a parking lot when two occupants from one car got out and “ran towards the second vehicle and started firing.”
Ramer said the vehicle that was shot at had five people inside, three of whom were hit. All have since been released from hospital.
Ramer said numerous rounds were fired by two suspects and a 12-year-old boy walking with his mother in the area was struck by a stray bullet.
Two suspects were identified by the gun and gangs unit and were arrested when they left a Canadian Tire Store at Bay and Dundas streets Monday at around 5 p.m.
Rashawn Chambers, 24 and Jahwayne Smart, 25, were both arrested.
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Both are charged with 28 offences, including six counts of attempted murder and four counts of aggravated assault.
Both suspects also appeared in court on Tuesday.
The suspects charged may also have been involved in two others shootings prior to Saturday’s.
“We will put every effort to bring these types of individuals to justice,” Ramer said, adding he and Mayor John Tory visited the area over the weekend. “These types of significant events impact the safety of our neighbourhoods, particularly, this callous and reckless act that occurred on Saturday afternoon, endangering so many lives.”
Many in the community voiced concern about gang activity and shootings in the area after the incident. Ramer confirmed Saturday’s shooting was gang-related.
“We’re making every effort we can to deter this type of activity,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that this area … we’re seeing a lot of those shootings recently and we’re doing our best working with the community and working with the government to try and find ways to stem that activity.”
“It is difficult, there’s no one easy answer and we’re trying several different ways to do it. The residents, I feel for them. They voice those opinions quite openly,” Ramer continued.
—With files from Ryan Rocca.
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