'How many more mothers should mourn their children?': Regent Park residents grieve death of city worker killed in triple shooting
Balloons spelling the victim’s name flutter next to a children’s playground, along with flowers, candles and messages of love left in tribute to 27-year-old Thane Murray.
“Oh my God, I said it couldn’t be him, could never be him, it has to be somebody else,” co-worker Barbara Job said at the scene of a growing memorial.
Job described Murray, who was a youth worker at the Regent Park Community Centre, as quiet and kind, a well-known and well-liked young man who was always willing to lend a helping hand.
“I am actually in shock because when I heard about the shooting and I heard the name Thane, I thought — ‘I only know one Thane, please let it not be the one I’m thinking about.’ I feel so sorry for the family,” area resident Lori told CTV News Toronto.
The shooting happened around 10 minutes to nine on Saturday night.
“I actually was really close by when it happened, and it sounded like Afghanistan or Beirut. The gunshots? There must have been 60 or 70 rounds, maybe even more than that,” John, who adds the playground was full at the time, said. “I’m surprised there weren’t kids shot.”
Police say at least 50 bullet casings were found after four armed men, dressed in dark clothing and wearing masks, approached three men on foot and opened fire.
A 29-year-old man sustained life-threatening injuries and a 27-year-old man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while Murray would be pronounced dead at the scene.
“It’s devastating,” Toronto-Centre MPP Suze Morrison said, adding that all levels of government need to step up to tackle the root cause of the gun violence.
“This riding is the child poverty capital of Canada. We have the highest population of children accessing food banks. The youth in this community don’t have access to same resources or programs.”
Meanwhile, residents are struggling to accept the continued gun violence, which they say occurs with a wanton disregard for life.
“I feel very disturbed. I have a son right now. He’s in a wheelchair. He was shot in 2014,” Monique Edwards said.
“I passed here this morning and I saw [the memorial] and I thought, ‘How many more must die? How many more mothers should mourn their children?’”
A young man dead, two others injured and an entire community deeply wounded by this ruthless crime.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.