Scarborough’s Muslim community unsettled as police search for motive in drive-by shooting injuring five men
As Toronto police search for the motive in a drive-by shooting that injured five men early Saturday morning, some members of Scarborough’s Muslim community are encouraging people to take extra precautions, but also stay calm.
Muslims are currently marking the holy month of Ramadan. Police said that following night-time prayers at the mosque, the five men gathered in the Cedar Heights Plaza at Markham Road and Lawrence Avenue East to find a place to eat.
Police said they believe six shots were fired toward the men at around 1 a.m.
Abdul Majid Bala, the President of the Scarborough Muslim Cultural Centre, said he knows one of the men, who was seriously hurt. He said he came to meet the group from the centre before the shooting, which is two blocks away.
Bala said the man he knows was leading prayers that evening. He said more than five men had gathered, with others coming from homes and other locations.
He wants to know if the violence has something to do with Islamophobia.
“We are more interested to know why, than who did it,” he told CTV News Toronto Monday.
However, it’s a different feeling over at the Scarborough Muslim Association, also in the neighbourhood.
Secretary Yusuf Ingar told CTV News Toronto that he has spoken with the victims families. He doesn’t want people in the community to be fearful or panic.
“We do not have reason to believe this was a hate crime at this point,’ Ingar said in a statement. “We believe it’s absolutely essential the suspect(s) be apprehended before we can begin to heal as a community.”
Police say they are looking at and gathering video surveillance, and the reason behind the shooting is still under investigation.
“Just to be cautious we have notified the hate crimes unit, just to get more investigative resources together. We don’t know what the motive of the shooting is,” said Const. David Hopkinson Monday.
Police said a car fled north on Markham Road after the shooting.
Hanzlah Khan is the Imam Administrator at Jaame Masjid Scarborough, which is across the street from where the shooting took place, he said he spoke with one of the father’s of the victims who told him he’s thankful his son is alive.
“He’s doing well and of course the parents are concerned, and the congregants are concerned about the whole congregation,” Khan said.
He said leaders have spoken with the congregation to condemn the gun violence.
“Definitely our community was taken aback and hurt by this,” he said. “We told them to be extra cautious when they are going out and not to roam about.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.