Residents in the area near the city's latest shooting death say people likely know who killed Adrian Johnston but possibly fear meeting the same result themselves.
"People know but people are not talking. People are scared for their life, for their family, protection-wise," resident Horace Sharp told CTV Toronto on Wednesday.
Others echoed the same sentiment, but Sharp said if people don't step up, "this thing is going to be more infested than the way it is right now."
Police say Johnston, only 14, died of "penetrating gunshot injuries to the chest" on a hydro line right-of-way in troubled west Toronto.
Someone shot and killed Johnston on Monday near Scarlett Road and Eileen Avenue, which is itself just north of where Dundas Street West and St. Clair Avenue merge. The area is also near the Lambton Golf and Country Club.
Police released the post-mortem examination results on Wednesday.
They describe the suspect as a male, black with dark skin and between 5'6" and 5'7". He was seen wearing black clothing, including a black hoodie with a large swirl pattern on the front or back.
Johnston is the city's 18th homicide victim so far this year. That puts Toronto as the same pace as 2008.
CTV Toronto reported that police believe Johnston willingly accompanied his killer on the final walk up the right-of-way, which suggests he knew the shooter.
A backdrop to all this are police fears of a brewing war between west Toronto street gangs, although no one has claimed that Johnston was a gang member or is otherwise involved with those groups. Some suggested he might have fallen in with a bad crowd.
There have been four shooting deaths in three weeks in 12 Division, which is immediately south of 31 Division.
Other than geography, however, it isn't yet clear if there are any links between the four murders.
"But that doesn't not mean it is not a possibility either," Det. Brian Borg told a news conference in Toronto on Tuesday about Johnston's case. "We simply do not know, and I am not prepared to speculate."
Police ask those with information in the Johnston slaying to contact them at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
Latest shootings
Meanwhile, two men are recovering in hospital after three separate shootings in North York Tuesday evening that left investigators wondering about the growing amount of gun violence in west-end Toronto.
Police rushed to an address on Toryork Drive, in the Weston Road and Finch Avenue area at around 5:30 after they received a call about a 22-year-old man on the ground with a gunshot wound to his buttocks.
He suffered serious injuries, police say, and is being treated at Sunnybrook hospital.
About 40 minutes later, police were alerted to another shooting outside a highrise building on Sheppard Avenue near Jane Street.
Police say a man in his 20s was shot in the leg. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Police are reportedly looking for a Nissan Maxima or Altima in connection with this incident. It is either silver, white or grey in colour.
The vehicle was seen heading westbound on Sheppard.
The driver is described as a black male with an Afro-style haircut and wearing camouflage-patterned clothing.
Authorities were called to a third shooting scene on Chalkfarm Drive at around 8:40 p.m. near Jane Street and Wilson Avenue. Police found several shell casings but did not locate a victim.
No arrests have been made in any of the shooting investigations. Police say the victims are not co-operating with police.
The shootings are just the latest reports of gun violence in west end Toronto over the last few weeks.
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair said Tuesday another 75 officers will patrol the streets and that the city's drug squad and guns and gangs task force are keeping a close eye on the situation.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Jim Junkin
