Man shot and killed in violent home invasion at Etobicoke townhouse, police say
Toronto police say they are searching for three suspects after a man was shot and killed inside an Etobicoke townhouse during what investigators have described as a violent home invasion.
The incident occurred near Lake Shore Boulevard West and Long Branch Avenue shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Thursday.
A 30-year-old man was shot and killed at a townhouse in Etobicoke on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday afternoon, Det.-Sgt. Brandon Price told reporters that police believe three suspects forced their way into a townhouse in the area armed with a firearm.
Two occupants were inside the residence at the time, Price said, and a demand was made for valuables.
A struggle ensued and one of the occupants, a 30-year-old man, was shot multiple times, Price said.
The suspects, who were wearing ski masks and dark clothing, fled the area in a white or light-coloured sedan, police said.
They were last seen heading south on Long Branch Avenue and then west on Lake Shore Boulevard West, Price added.
The victim was rushed to hospital via emergency run but later died. He has been identified as 30-year-old Matthew Bergart.
Matthew Bergart is Toronto's 25th homicide victim of 2024. (Toronto Police Service)
“A thorough video canvass is currently underway. We are processing the scene on the outside and will be moving into the interior of the residence following that,” Price said.
“We believe this is a targeted situation in that there was valuables that were sought.”
He said the victim did not reside at the townhouse but was visiting the residence at the time of the shooting.
The valuables that the suspects were looking for, Price said, belonged to victim’s friend, who was the occupant of the townhouse.
Price would not elaborate on what exactly the suspects were searching for but confirmed that it was not a vehicle.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW 'She was waiting for you': The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother in England
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Macklem tries to stay out of the fray as MPs do their best to use him to score points
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem navigates a political minefield every time he testifies before the House of Commons finance committee.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Oilers to play Game 1 vs. Canucks on Wednesday
The Edmonton Oilers will play Game 1 of their second-round series against the Canucks in Vancouver on Wednesday.