Two males, one a young offender, will be facing charges following a shooting incident at Yorkdale shopping centre that left a security guard bruised by a bullet.
Const. Tony Vella, a Toronto Police Service spokesperson, told ctvtoronto.ca on Thursday that the incident began shortly before 1 p.m. when a confrontation occurred between a mall customer and two males in the parking lot north of the movie theatres.
That customer noticed one of the individuals was carrying a firearm, he said, adding there's no allegation the suspect was brandishing the firearm.
The two suspects then went into the mall and were making their way to the tunnel that leads to the Yorkdale subway stop.
By this time, police had been notified.
One police officer and five security guards moved to intercept the two suspects.
"One police officer is dealing with the first suspect," Vella said. "The second suspect is being dealt with by five security officers. A fight breaks out."
The suspect had his hand in his pocket "and is believed to have discharged the firearm, striking the security officer in the chest," he said. "Fortunately for him, he had his (bulletproof) vest on, saving his life."
The sound of gunfire sent shoppers scattering for cover in the popular mall.
Early reports indicated the guard had been taken to hospital, but Vella said the man was treated at the scene by paramedics and didn't require any further medical care.
The two suspects are 15 and 18 years old, with the 15-year-old alleged to be the one in possession of the handgun, he said.
Charges likely to be laid include pointing a firearm and attempted murder, Vella said.
In another development, the province's Special Investigations Unit, which reviews serious injuries involving the police, is looking into the case.
After being taken to 32 Division for processing, it was determined one suspect had suffered a bullet wound to his leg. He was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital for treatment, the SIU said late Thursday in a news release.
