UPDATE: July 23
Two people were killed and 12 others were injured when a man armed with a handgun fired into restaurants and patios in a popular Toronto neighbourhood on a warm Sunday night, authorities said Monday.
Police said the suspected gunman exchanged fire with officers and was later found dead in the area. There was no immediate word on a motive.
The incident began around 10 p.m. in the cityB次元官网网址檚 Greektown, an area home to dozens of restaurants, small businesses and family homes.
OntarioB次元官网网址檚 police watchdog said the 29-year-old suspected gunman, whose identity has not been released, moved down Danforth Avenue, spraying bullets along the way. The Special Investigations Unit said the man later exchanged gunfire with police officers and was eventually found dead in the area.
Related:
The armB次元官网网址檚-length agency that probes incidents involving police in which someone is killed said it has opened an investigation into the alleged gunmanB次元官网网址檚 death.
Several blocks in the heart of Greektown were surrounded by yellow police tape Monday morning, and nearly all local businesses were closed.
No information had yet been released about the two shooting victims. Police Chief Mark Saunders previously said a woman was killed and a girl, aged eight or nine, was in critical condition.
Witnesses posted many photos and videos, including a clip that appears to show a man, clad in black and carrying a satchel, walk a few steps before lifting his arms in front of him as gunshots ring out.
Neighbourhood residents visiting the scene of the shooting said theyB次元官网网址檙e struggling to process the deadly incident.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of good people here,B次元官网网址� said Gord Cheong who lives blocks away. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of people who come to the Danforth, to Greektown, but itB次元官网网址檚 generally quite quiet. So this is unusual, and disturbing.B次元官网网址�
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a statement of support via Twitter.
B次元官网网址淢y thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible tragedy on the Danforth last night in Toronto, and may the injured make a full recovery,B次元官网网址� he wrote Monday morning. B次元官网网址淭he people of Toronto are strong, resilient and brave B次元官网网址� and weB次元官网网址檒l be there to support you through this difficult time.B次元官网网址�
Toronto Mayor John Tory called the shooting B次元官网网址渁 despicable actB次元官网网址� and expressed outrage that someone had B次元官网网址渦nleashed such a terrible attack on our city and people innocently enjoying a Sunday evening.B次元官网网址�
The mayor said the latest shooting happened as the city was still healing from a van attack that left 10 people dead just a few months ago.
In April, a white van mounted a sidewalk on a busy Toronto running down pedestrians.
Alek Minassian, 25, of Richmond Hill, Ont., faces 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder.
B次元官网网址淲e were so used to living in a city where these things didnB次元官网网址檛 happen and as we saw them going on in the world around us (we) thought they couldnB次元官网网址檛 happen here,B次元官网网址� Tory told reporters Sunday night, urging people to stay calm while police carry on their investigation.
My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible tragedy on the Danforth last night in Toronto, and may the injured make a full recovery. The people of Toronto are strong, resilient and brave - and weB次元官网网址檒l be there to support you through this difficult time.
B次元官网网址� Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau)
B次元官网网址�-
ORIGINAL: July 22
Toronto police say nine people are in hospital after a mass shooting incident Sunday night in the downtown Toronto neighbourhood known as Greektown.
Police spokesman Mark Pugash also confirmed that the suspected shooter was dead, but he didnB次元官网网址檛 provide further details.
Paramedics said many of the victims, including a child, had been rushed to trauma centres, however, there was no immediate word on their conditions.
A woman, who only gave her first name as Mary, said she was in the Pantheon Restaurant on Danforth Avenue when she saw a little girl who appeared to be about seven or eight years old on a stretcher being placed in an ambulance.
John Tulloch says he and his brother had just gotten out of their car on Danforth when he heard about 20 to 30 gunshots.
B次元官网网址淲e just ran. We saw people starting to run so we just ran,B次元官网网址� he said.
An army of police, paramedics and other first responders soon descended on the scene, while a crowd of area residents, some in their pyjamas emerged from their homes to see what was going on.
Just this weekend Toronto police deployed dozens of additional officers to deal with a recent spike in gun violence in the city.
The Canadian Press
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