TORONTO -- Toronto Police say they have arrested a suspect in connection with a “brazen” 2018 playground shooting in which two young sisters were struck by gunfire.
The shooting happened on the evening of June 14, 2018 at a playground near McCowan Road and McNicoll Avenue. The two girls – ages five and nine at the time – were struck by gunfire and were rushed to hospital. They were injured, but survived.
The alleged target was a man who was at the park that night with his daughter, investigators have said previously.
Two men were subsequently charged in connection with the shooting, but a third remained outstanding, despite a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Just last month, that reward was increased to $75,000.
Police Chief Mark Sanders announced the latest arrest at a hastily called news conference on Tuesday afternoon.
T’Quan Robertson, 25, has now been taken into custody in connection with the 2018 playground shooting and faces two counts of attempted murder, Saunders said.
He said the arrest was made as police were executing a search warrant in connection with a weapons investigation in York Region earlier today.
That same investigation has resulted in a number of other arrests, including a man who was wanted in connection with the April 2017 killing of Samatar Farah, Saunders said. Investigators have said Farah was killed simply because he lived at a housing complex that was caught up in a feud with a neighbouring complex.
Alexander Fountain is now facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with Farah’s killing, as well as an attempted murder charge in connection with a shooting that occurred days earlier.
Saunders said he was found at the same home as Robertson Tuesday.
A loaded firearm and drugs were also seized from the home in York Region when the search warrant was executed, Saunders said.
“This investigation is still currently underway, and more arrests are ongoing as we speak,” Saunders said. “I can say as chief of the Toronto Police Service, that this is a proud moment for all of us. I want to thank the team for the excellent work that they have done.”
He called it “a very good day for all of us and for the family.”
In a tweet later Tuesday evening, Saunders added “If we’re looking for you, know that we don’t give up.”
