Toronto police spent Tuesday looking to speak with witnesses regarding two unrelated slayings that happened within hours of each other in North York.

Sources have identified Haleema Kasana as the person who was found stabbed to death Monday night in her fifth-floor apartment. Police were called to the scene at 2350 Finch Avenue near Weston Road just after 8 p.m.

"She was found to have obvious signs of trauma to various parts of her body, and indications are that she had been deceased for some time," but no longer than a day, said Det. Chris Neal, a Toronto Police Service homicide investigator on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, officers who were patrolling the Eglinton Avenue and Keele Street area in their cruiser were flagged down by a number of people who witnessed a man being gunned down near a bus station.

The young man has been identified as 18-year-old Stephen Barton.

No suspects are in custody in either cases and police are scouring both neighbourhoods for witnesses.

"A very kind lady"

Friends of Kasana say lived alone and worked as a cashier at the nearby Esso gas station.

Johnny Thomas, manager of the station, told CTV Toronto that he was suspicious when she didn't show up for her shift on Monday as Kasana is one of his most reliable employees.

"She's good and honest and she's working for me six days a week," he said.

Thomas said he called her several times, but her cell phone was turned off.

A regular customer of the gas station said he remembered the woman well.

"I'm really, really shocked," said Rick Ziaei. "I would see her from time to time. I work next door and I come here to get gas and coffee. She was very young, very kind, very quiet lady.

"I can't believe this happened," he added.

Her co-workers also said that the victim was engaged to be married and had been in a relationship for the last four years. CTV Toronto has learned that police had been called to her residence last week over an alleged domestic disturbance.

A security guard who works in the building told CTV Toronto that neighbours had complained several days ago about loud fighting in the unit.

The building is brand new, having opened to residents this past spring, tenants said.

Police have removed a four-door Toyota Corolla from the building's underground parking garage.

They have not said if this homicide was the result of a random attack.  An autopsy will be performed on Kasana on Wednesday.

Fatal shooting

Hours before Kasana was found, Barton was fatally shot while he was standing at a bus stop.

Witnesses told CTV Toronto they saw Barton argue with another man just before 3 p.m. They heard several shots ring out and then saw Barton lying in the grass with a distraught woman by his side.

The suspect was seen running northbound from the scene. He is described as being between 17 and 20 years old and was wearing a bright blue baggy T-shirt and baggy jeans.

The shooting happened in a high-traffic area, just metres from a daycare. However, police say witnesses and friends of the victim are hesitating to come forward with details on what may have caused the fight.

These two latest homicides are Toronto's 47th and 48th this year.

With a report from CTV Toronto's John Musselman and Jim Junkin