A 21-year-old man died early Saturday morning after he was shot several times outside a grocery store near the intersection of Front and Sherbourne Streets.
The victim was rushed to St. Michael's Hospital where he was pronounced dead at around 3:45 a.m.
By Saturday morning, officers were investigating the death as family of the victim arrived on the scene, too distraught to speak with reporters.
Resident Mark Sutherland, who lives nearby, said he heard several gunshots ring out during the early morning hours.
"(There was) just a lot of loud noises, like about six of seven loud bangs," he told CTV Toronto.
"I thought it might be firecrackers."
The shooting occurred near a Rabba store sometime after 3:40 a.m., police said. The victim, who hasn't been identified, had been out with friends when a man approached from behind and began firing.
According to witnesses, the gunman ran away after unloading his firearm.
Police say that numerous rounds were fired.
"It was multiple, several rounds ... we're actually still searching and coming up with more rounds and more casings," said Toronto Police Sgt. Chu Chang.
The victim was taken to nearby St. Michael's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Staff Sgt. David Vickers told ctvtoronto.ca that there is currently one male suspect in the case.
Police said the suspect was wearing a ski mask and baggy clothing. The death is the city's 39th homicide of 2009.
Meanwhile, officers are investigating an unrelated shooting which occurred in the city's north around midnight Friday.
The victim was leaving an Internet cafe near Yonge Street and Finch Avenue when he was shot in the chest, according to police.
The 25-year-old victim was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital and was said to be in serious condition Saturday.
Police say there are currently "pursuing" two suspects in the Finch-area shooting.
With a report from CTV Toronto's James MacDonald
