Two men killed in North York shooting
Two men are dead after a Tuesday afternoon shooting in North York, Toronto police say.
Officers were called to the area of Driftwood Avenue and Jane Street just after 2:15 p.m. after reports of gunshots.
Paramedics were also on scene and life-saving measures were attempted. Paramedics initially said that one of the shooting victims was rushed to hospital with serious, lifethreatening injuries and the other was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man who was transported to hospital has since died from those injuries, police said later Tuesday.
Two firearms were found in the area, police said, adding that they are searching for suspects who reportedly fled the scene.
In an update at 6 p.m., Duty Insp. Todd Jocko confirmed there was an altercation between a group of people in the area before gun shots rang out.
Jocko said it was not clear if there was an exchange of gunfire and there was no information on the ownership of the guns and where they were found.
The shooting is believed to have occurred in a parking lot behind a cluster of Toronto Community Housing buildings off of Driftwood Avenue. Community members were gathered at a playground across from a laneway that led into the parking lot, which was blocked by police.
Kimberly, a local resident who did not want to share her last name, said she was looking forward to celebrating her son’s birthday Tuesday when she heard one of her good friends was shot. “It’s not right. Now forever when I remember my son’s birthday, I’ll remember my friend was shot,” she said.
Another community member who did not want to be named described one of the victims as a good father and said he had another child on the way.
Kimberly, who described the victim as being “like a brother,” said she was tired of hearing about shootings in the neighbourhood and feels like she needs to move.
“We’re all distraught right now. This isn’t supposed to happen in broad daylight. It’s senseless, for no reason,” she said.
“We’re tired of it, over the years. I don’t know how to process it right now,” she added.
The neighbourhood is home to an elementary and middle school, as well as a city-run child-care centre. Officers could be seen escorting children to their homes and directing residents to avoid the area.
Investigators are urging anyone in the area with dash cam footage or doorbell footage to contact police.
A command post and increased police presence will be in the area as police investigate and provide “safety and support” to the community shaken by the double homicide.