Suspect in custody after crashing into construction site in stolen vehicle and shooting Good Samaritan
An apparent Good Samaritan is dead after he was shot by the driver of a stolen vehicle along Steeles Avenue on Friday afternoon.
A witness told CP24 that a black pickup truck was travelling east along Steeles Avenue near Alness Street at around 1:20 p.m. when it struck at least one construction worker before sideswiping a guardrail and slamming into a work truck.
The witness said that a group of construction workers then approached the pickup and attempted to pull the driver out of the vehicle.
However, the witness said that there was some sort of interaction and the driver appeared to fire three shots at one of the construction workers before the others were able to overpower him.
The victim was transported to hospital with multiple gunshot wounds following the incident. But he was pronounced dead later on Friday afternoon and the investigation has now been turned over to homicide detectives.
Speaking with reporters at the scene late Friday afternoon, Duty Insp. Michael Williams said that investigators believe the suspect was in a stolen vehicle and had attempted to flee the scene after crashing into the white work truck.
“Several citizens intervened and it is at that point that our male victim was shot by the suspect and sadly was pronounce deceased in hospital,” he said. “What we are asking for the public’s assistance with right now is for anyone who may have been in the area, whether it was at a business or if you were travelling on Steeles (Avenue), if you have any CCTV, dash cam video or actually witnessed it we would very much appreciate you contacting 32 Division.”
SIU has been contacted
Williams said that police believe the truck was stolen a short distance from the work site and may have been involved in another collision nearby, though that remains under investigation.
He said that the truck did hit one construction worker as it entered the site and that individual has since been taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The Special Investigations Unit has been contacted due to the nature of the interaction between the suspect and police but have not formally invoked their mandate at this time.
“It is still a very active investigation and a very complex and large scene. Members in this community can expect delays for some hours to come,” Williams said.
On Friday afternoon a path of destruction was visible along Steeles Avenue, including dozens of construction pylons that had been knocked over.
A black truck could also be seen wedged against a white cube van with a black handgun visible on the ground nearby.
The witness who spoke with CP24 said that she initially thought a drunk driver may have been behind the wheel of the truck but quickly realized something was amiss when it continued to travel at a high rate of speed as it entered the construction side.
“You don’t go 80 km/h into a construction site head-on,” she said.
The suspect was taken into custody by members of York Regional Police but the investigation has since been handed over to Toronto police.
The roadway is closed due to the police investigation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.