Durham Regional Police say two people were critically injured after an “exchange of gunfire” that saw more than 40 shots fired in central Ajax Wednesday afternoon.
Police said officers were called to Harwood Avenue South and Kingston Road West around 4:20 p.m.
“We did also locate a white vehicle … parked on the east side of the street and that has some damage as a result of the exchange of gunfire.”
Tudos said the two victims — a male and a female — were inside of that vehicle and were both taken to a Toronto trauma centre with life-threatening injuries.
A Durham Region spokesperson said both victims were in their mid-20s and were conscious when they were taken to hospital.
“It’s believed that the suspect vehicle fled from the scene so we’re still actively looking for a suspect vehicle,” he said.
“There was also another vehicle that was inadvertently damaged as well due to the gunfire.”
Officers blocked off a large area near a plaza south of the intersection for the investigation, including portions of Harwood Avenue South and Kingston Road West.
Tudos said the vehicle that reportedly fled the scene was a four-door sedan, but didn’t provide further information.
He said it was “surprising” that no one else was injured given the number of shots fired.
Tudos added that during the shooting, employees in nearby stores were hiding in basements until officers got to the scene.
Anyone with information on the incident or video from the area is asked to contact investigators at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2528 or Crime Stopper anonymously as 1-800-222-8477.