Shooting at Toronto birthday party leaves three children, man injured: police
A 'brazen' shooting at a child's birthday party in Rexdale Saturday evening left a man and three children, including a one-year-old boy, injured, Toronto police say.
Emergency crews rushed to the area of Tandridge Crescent and Byng Avenue, east of Albion Road, just before 8 p.m. for reports of shots fired.
Officers arrived and located four victims – a one-year-old child, a five-year-old girl, an 11-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man with gunshot wounds.
Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner told reporters at the scene that the one-year-old was grazed by a bullet while the man was shot in the leg.
All were transported to trauma centres via an emergency rush.
Toronto paramedics said they took a total of five victims to the hospital. One of the children is in life-threatening condition, one is in serious condition and the third sustained minor injuries.
They also took two men to the hospital, one with serious injuries and the other with minor injuries. It is not known at this time if the fifth victim sustained gunshot injuries.
Police said they could not confirm how many people were at the gathering at the time of the incident.
A shooting happened at a child's birthday party in Etobicoke that sent four people to hospital, including three children.
"It's unconscionable. It's hard to believe," Taverner said.
When asked if this was a targeted shooting, he said it is too early in the investigation to determine that.
"But at this particular time, it doesn't look like any of the people that were shot were particularly targeted. It seems like that they were just there and happened to be… ended up being shot by the shooters."
Taverner said they believe the suspects fled the scene using a vehicle that was seen speeding away.
"At this particular time, we're working on descriptions of suspects, and we can't provide anything concrete right at the present time," Taverner said.
In a later update, Duty Inspector Kelly Skinner confirmed that there is more than one suspect involved.
"We don't know what led to the actual shooting," she said, adding that when officers arrived at the scene, it was "chaotic."
"There's nothing more brazen than children outside in a gathering and this kind of violence happening outside right in front of them… It's absolutely tragic."
Skinner said officers are canvassing the area, talking to residents in the neighbourhood for information.
"What we're doing right now is appealing for the community. We're appealing to everybody in this area. This is a tragedy. There were three children who were shot here tonight. We absolutely need your help," she said.
"If you were driving in this area, please check your dash cams. If you have a security video, please check that. If you have any information, please give us a call at 23 Division."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street