Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty visited a community centre in the Scarborough neighbourhood Friday, four days after a horrific firefight killed two people and injured 23 others.
McGuinty spoke at the East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club, a few blocks from the site of Monday’s public shooting, where he told reporters that gun crime is a complex problem, one that has no easy solution.
“We have been going in the right direction. The fact of the matter is something is still missing,” McGuinty said. “Some tragedies have unfolded as of late. This is a complex matter. It’s a tough nut to crack and something we all have to get our arms around. I think we’ve got to beware of simplistic, short-sighted solutions.”
The visit comes one day after police charged a 19-year-old man with a firearm charge in connection with Monday’s east-end Toronto block party shooting.
Nahom Tsegazab, of Toronto, was charged Thursday with reckless discharge of a firearm. He was injured in the shooting and remains in police custody.
Police said the charge against Tsegazab relates only to injuries sustained by surviving victims, not the two deaths.
Shyanne Charles, 14, and Joshua Yasay, 23, were killed when gunfire erupted on Danzig Street, near Morningside and Lawrence Avenues, in the city’s district of Scarborough.
A 22-month-old toddler was grazed in the head by a bullet in the melee, but escaped serious injury.
Police sources told CTV Toronto investigators believe the accused was the only intended target of the first shots that rang out on Monday night. They allege that he then pulled out his own gun and began firing.
Sources also say the accused is a member of the Galloway Boys gang.
Police are still urging witnesses to come forward with information as the community continues to gather to speak out against gun violence and hold vigils for the victims.
CTV Toronto’s Tamara Cherry reported Friday evening the police investigation has been made more difficult by the fact that the Toronto Community Housing building where the shooting took place lacked any kind of video surveillance equipment, which is common in many other multi-family dwellings.
The shooting has prompted widespread outrage and calls from community leaders for action.
Community members continued to speak out against gun violence Friday evening, as approximately 300 people gathered for “The Angel Walk.”
The march, hosted by local hip hop artist P. Reign, is being held as a tribute to Charles and Yasay and as a way for community members to reclaim their neighbourhood after the violent incident.
Participants met outside 4301 Kingston Rd., near Charles’ home, at 7:30 p.m. and planned to march through the street until they arrived at the site of the shooting.
McGuinty will also meet Toronto Mayor Rob Ford on Monday to discuss ways to prevent gun violence and gang activity.
On Friday, McGuinty said he hoped a federal government representative would attend.
The meeting will allow various levels of government to work with police and community leaders to see what each party could bring to the table, McGuinty said.
“This is a complicated problem. It’s going to take all of us and it’s going to take all of us at our best,” he said.
McGuinty said policing was only one part of the solution to gun violence, adding that programs to support young people were also needed.
Ford, meanwhile, held a meeting Friday afternoon with concerned community members in Etobicoke, another area that has been marred by gun violence.
Ford said earlier this week that he will ask the provincial government for more police funding to combat gun violence. He also said he wants to banish violent criminals and gang members from the city, suggesting that he’ll ask Prime Minister Stephen Harper about changes to federal immigration laws.
Ford’s response to the shooting has drawn criticism from his opponents on city council, who pointed out that the mayor was the only one who voted against accepting federal money to combat gangs last year.
Shortly after the mass shooting, Ford said the best way to prevent gang violence in the city is by creating jobs.
Meanwhile, funeral arrangements have been finalized for one of the two young people gunned down Monday night.
The funeral service for Joshua Yasay, described in his obituary as a mentor, youth worker and entrepreneur, will be held Monday in Ajax, where he lived.
