More than 200 people had gathered at an east-end Toronto block party when gunfire erupted Monday night, ripping through the crowd and leaving two dead and more than 20 others injured.
Toronto police confirmed the death of a 14-year-old girl and a 23-year-old man, and said 23 others were hit by bullets and another person was injured as people fled the scene.
Described by Toronto’s police chief as “the most serious crime of its kind” to ever hit the city, it is the fourth very public attack so far this summer and only the latest to rock the city in recent years.
Public shootings this summer:
July 1, 2012: Canada Day fireworks
A man was shot in the chest following an altercation with a very large group of men as crowds were leaving a Canada Day fireworks display at Woodbine Beach. The victim was rushed to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
June 18, 2012: Little Italy café
John Raposo was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot while watching a Euro Cup game on a patio at The Sicilian Sidewalk Café. Police say a masked man approached Raposo and shot him in the head. Another customer was also injured in the shooting. Dean Wiwchar, 26, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
June 3, 2012: Eaton Centre food court
Two men were killed and six others suffered injuries when a gunman opened fire during the dinner rush at an Eaton Centre food court. A 13-year-old boy continues to recover after being shot in the head during the incident. Police say the shooting suspect and the two men who were killed were members of the same street gang. Christopher Husbands, 23, of Toronto, has been charged with first-degree murder and six counts of attempted murder.
Other brazen shootings over the years:
Feb. 26, 2012
A masked suspect opened fire on a TTC collector in a booth at Dupont Station. The collector was struck twice and the TTC has offered a $25,000 reward for information.
Nov. 3, 2011
A 19-year-old man and a teenage girl were shot outside a Toronto public school and community centre. Police allege a shooter waited for the man to exit the community centre before opening fire. The teenage girl was struck in the crossfire.
Aug. 27, 2011
Jermaine Smith, 28, died after he was shot at a large community barbecue in the Scarlett Road and St. Clair Avenue West area. Police say Smith was shot in a parking lot adjacent to a busy community playground.
May 26, 2011
John Kang, 21, was shot outside a McDonald’s restaurant near Victoria Park Avenue and Finch Avenue East and later died in hospital. Raphael Okezie was charged with first-degree murder.
Sept. 30, 2010
A victim was grazed in the temple by a bullet during a confrontation between six youths inside Central Technical High School, near Harbord and Bathurst Streets. Two suspects were charged, one with as many as 10 counts related to weapon possession.
May 23, 2007
Fifteen-year-old Jordan Manners died after being shot inside C.W. Jefferys Collegiate. Two students were found not guilty of first-degree murder in the incident. Defence lawyers argued that Manners shot himself while examining the gun with friends.
Dec. 26, 2005
Fifteen-year-old Jane Creba was killed while shopping with her family on Boxing Day on downtown Yonge Street. Police say Creba was caught in the crossfire of two rival groups of thugs. Two men were convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting and another two men were convicted of manslaughter.
