Police have identified the man who was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting that occurred in Toronto’s entertainment district on Friday afternoon.
Police have identified the victim as 28-year-old Joel Alexander, from Toronto. He was pronounced dead in hospital shortly after being rushed to hospital by paramedics, following a shooting at around 4:15 p.m. on Friday, near King Street and Peter Street.
Det.-Sgt. Terry Brown told reporters that Alexander is known to police for his “his difficulties in the past.”
Alexander is the father of a five-year-old child, Brown said.
Brown says Alexander was targeted by the shooter and there is currently no risk to the public.
“There is no doubt in my mind, whoever did this to Mr. Alexander was certainly looking for him,” Brown said.
Police say they are currently sifting through surveillance footage for information on possible suspects but still need help from witnesses who were in the area at the time.
“It’s the eyes and ears of people in the area that are going to help us,” he said.
Police say a woman who was in the vehicle with Alexander was not physically injured but is “emotionally scared.”
Brown says she is assisting police “to the best of her ability.”
Police say they have reopened Peter Street, between King Street and Adelaide Street. The area was closed for over 24-hours following the shooting.
