Toronto: A young woman has died and 13 other victims, including a 9-year-old girl, were injured by gunfire on the busy Greektown strip.
The police chief said there was an “exchange of gunfire” and that the alleged shooter — who is now also dead — had used a handgun. It was not immediately clear whether the alleged attacker had been killed by police or by self-inflicted gunshots.
The Special Investigations Unit, which probes deaths or serious injuries involving police, was on the scene early morning on July 23.
Saunders said there was no information yet on the timeline of the shooting or any possible motive. He said it was not necessarily a random act.
Witnesses described a man dressed in black, with a black hat, firing about 20 shots in the area. The scene extended over several blocks, roughly between Chester and Logan Aves.
Paramedics said multiple people were taken to hospitals and trauma centres, including the child who was transported to the Hospital for Sick Children.
Toronto Fire was called to the scene and requested additional ambulance support. Emergency Task Force officers arrived and began to cordon off several blocks. Police also confirmed that a suspicious package was being investigated.
Stavy Karnouskou was standing with a few friends outside Logo bar on the south side of Danforth, east of Logan Ave.
Mayor John Tory, who was on the scene , offered his condolences to families of the victims and urged residents not to jump to conclusions about what transpired and why.
In a statement, Tory called the shooting a “despicable act” and thanked first responders who had rushed to aid the victims.
“On behalf of all Toronto residents, I am outraged that someone has unleashed such a terrible attack on our city and people innocently enjoying a Sunday evening,” Tory said.