Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Two injured in possible road-rage shooting near busy downtown Toronto intersection

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Jul, 2023 09:54 AM
  • Two injured in possible road-rage shooting near busy downtown Toronto intersection

A shooting in downtown Toronto that sent two people to hospital with serious injuries Monday morning could be the result of road rage following street racing, police said as they worked to identify those responsible.

Toronto police said they were called to 7 Charles Street West, just one block south of Toronto's busy Yonge and Bloor intersection, just after 6 a.m. for what they described as a drive-by shooting.

Duty Insp. Michelle Olszevski said officers arrived to find a man and a woman in their 20s suffering from gunshot wounds. They were taken to nearby trauma centres where they were in serious, but non-life-threatening condition hours later.

Before the shooting, police got a call about stunt driving taking place on Yonge Street shortly before 6 a.m., Olszevski said.

"The vehicles and occupants of the vehicles involved in this stunt driving call were also in front of 7 Charles Street at the time of this shooting," she said. 

"There is a possibility that this incident has occurred as a result of a road rage."

Aiman Fatima, who lives with her family in a condo building near the scene, said she left the building for a morning walk around 6 a.m. Monday and saw a group of ten to twelve people, mostly in their 20s, speaking with each other.

She said she didn't notice any aggressive behaviour from the group. A minute later, she walked by and was about to turn on Yonge Street when she heard what she said were 12 to 14 gunshots. 

She said she ran away without looking back, and saw others doing the same. 

"I was very scared," she said while standing outside a police barricade set up around the scene. 

“Everyone just ran away to save themselves, I didn’t look back,” she added. “I ran away on the opposite side.”

Two single women's shoes could be seen in the middle of the crime scene. A Forensic Identification Services truck was also on scene.

Fatima said she started going on morning walks around two weeks ago, but she may stop due to safety concerns. She called for more security measures in the area such as additional surveillance cameras.

Lindsay Turchin, who lives in an apartment overlooking the scene, said her partner witnessed people running away. She said there has been crime, particularly stabbings, in the area before but this is the first time she's experienced a shooting so close by.

"A lot of us heard gunshots," she said through tears. "One or two, I thought 'car backfiring,' and then it just kept going. I lost count."

John Wimbs, who lives six blocks away from the scene, said he still feels safe walking on the streets, and a number of recent shootings and stabbings aren't very worrying for him.

“When you see these things happening, I mean this is not new to Toronto," he said as he walked by the scene of the shooting. "I have lived here for many years, you know, there has been violence but it just feels there is more of it."

Olszevski said police are searching for a Black SUV last seen travelling westbound from the scene to Bay Street, where it turned and travelled north. Police did not yet have a description of the suspect or suspects.

“(The victims) may have been involved in the stunt driving incident as well but that’s still being actively investigated," she said.

She appealed for any witnesses or anyone with information or video footage of the shooting or SUV to come forward to police

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. to provide up to 8,000 free air conditioners to low-income, vulnerable people

B.C. to provide up to 8,000 free air conditioners to low-income, vulnerable people
Health Minister Adrian Dix said Tuesday that the funding to BC Hydro will provide up to 8,000 air-conditioning units over the next three years, but if demand increases, that number could also go up.  Dix said people can apply for the units on their own or health officials working with elderly people will be able to help them get a unit. 

B.C. to provide up to 8,000 free air conditioners to low-income, vulnerable people

3 dead in South Surrey collision

3 dead in South Surrey collision
On Sunday at approximately 2:45 am, Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision in the 3300-block of 176 Street. On Monday afternoon, the third occupant of the Hyundai, who was previously in critical condition died of their injuries. 

3 dead in South Surrey collision

Ottawa widens pathways for attracting tech talent

Ottawa widens pathways for attracting tech talent
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser revealed the Tech Talent Strategy, which includes a new, dedicated pathway for permanent residents targeting employees and workers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors.

Ottawa widens pathways for attracting tech talent

Wildfire above Highway 99 in West Vancouver now 'held' after route closed Monday

Wildfire above Highway 99 in West Vancouver now 'held' after route closed Monday
An aerial attack by the wildfire service and efforts on the ground by West Vancouver Fire and Rescue helped confine the blaze to about one hectare. It is now officially termed as "being held," with further spread is unlikely.

Wildfire above Highway 99 in West Vancouver now 'held' after route closed Monday

Man hurt in home invasion dies: Prince George RCMP

Man hurt in home invasion dies: Prince George RCMP
R-C-M-P in Prince George said the man suffered life-threatening injuries during the home invasion on June 19th and a woman who was with him was also severely hurt but is expected to survive.

Man hurt in home invasion dies: Prince George RCMP

Canada celebrates Multiculturalism Day

Canada celebrates Multiculturalism Day
“As we celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day, we celebrate Canadians of all backgrounds, and we recommit to fostering an inclusive and welcoming society, where everyone has equal opportunity. Let’s stand together, united in our commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and equity for all.”

Canada celebrates Multiculturalism Day