CF Sherway Gardens in Toronto’s west end has been locked down after police officers say shots were fired following a fight between two groups inside the mall.
Emergency crews were called to the mall, located northwest of Highway 427 and the Queen Elizabeth Way, just after 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
“It’s just absolutely brazen. It’s just a total disregard for other members of the public and public safety. It’s ridiculous,” interim Toronto Police Chief James Ramer told reporters Friday afternoon.
“The reality is though we’re going to find them shortly … This mall (has) outstanding video, lots of witnesses, I suspect that we’ll see that we’ll make some arrests soon.”
A Toronto police spokesperson initially told reporters officers were told about two groups of people involved in a physical fight. They said people on both sides then pulled out firearms and began shooting.
However, Ramer said it appeared one person pulled out a gun near the Starbucks inside the mall and fired shots. He added it’s estimated there were a few people in each group.
No one at the mall has been found with injuries, but Ramer said there was evidence that suggested some of those involved in the fight were injured during that incident.
While people close to the shooting scene ran away, many inside the mall were forced to stay in the facility as a lockdown was imposed.
Toronto police emergency task force members along with tactical officers from Peel Regional Police were called to the mall and Ramer confirmed a sweep of the premises was done and none of the suspects were found inside.
Officers were expected to complete a controlled exit of mall patrons by Friday evening.
An update issued by mall staff referred all questions to Toronto police and said the mall would be closed for the rest of the day.
Suspect descriptions haven’t been issued.