The driver of an SUV in which three passengers were shot to death over the weekend has been found, Toronto police said Monday.

The man, who was not hurt in the drive-by shooting, contacted police, Det. Sgt. Dean Burks told reporters at a news conference Monday.

The men, who were all in their 20s, were found slumped over inside a gold-coloured Nissan Pathfinder at about 3:40 a.m.Sunday in a quiet residential street in Etobicoke. Police said the driver told them the shooting took place at another location.

"We believe there is one shooting scene. The driver of the SUV left that scene after shots were fired and ended up on this drive where he stopped the vehicle and left the scene," said Burks.

The driver is not a suspect in the shooting, Burks said.

"We consider the driver to be a victim and a witness," he said.

Police said they received information that the men were driving west on the QEW and were on the off-ramp at Browns Line at Evans Avenue when they were shot. However, investigators combed the area and have not found any shell casings.

Burks said the men and the driver were seen at Fluid nightclub in Toronto's entertainment district Saturday night. Authorities also believe the suspects were at the same club that night and that they later drove off in a black SUV.

Police have no evidence to suggest that the two groups got into an altercation, said Burks. However, authorities believe the men were targeted.

"There is nothing to suggest it was random," he said. "Everything suggests occupants were targeted."

The dead men have been identified as:

  • Adrian Inglis Bannerman, 29
  • Aaron Brendan MacDonald, 20
  • Kurt Atiba Charles, 27

Investigators are looking at whether the shooting was gang related. The victims are all known to police, Burks said, though he wouldn't say why.

Police are looking at MTO cameras placed along the QEW for clues but Burks said anyone who saw the victims in the entertainment district or who saw or heard the shooting, should call police at 416-808-7400. Anonymous tips can be left with Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS.