Police seek 3 masked suspects after 3 men injured in North York plaza shooting
Three masked men shot and wounded three other men in a plaza in North York on Monday night, Toronto police say.
The shooting happened in the area of Jane Street and Yorkwoods Gate, south of Finch Avenue West. Police received several calls about gunfire shortly after 8:30 p.m. Two of the victims were in their 50s.
Insp. Norm Proctor of the Toronto Police Service said "numerous" gunshots were fired. The three suspects got out of a smaller black SUV, opened fire, then fled in the vehicle northbound on Jane Street. At least one of the victims was hit more than once.
Proctor said police believe there were several witnesses in the area.
"Please come forward with any information if you are aware of who may be responsible for this," Proctor said, addressing any potential witnesses as he spoke to reporters at the scene.
When officers arrived, he said, they found the three injured men. Numerous shell casings were found and police believe more than one of the masked men were shooting.
Toronto paramedics said they took two men in serious condition to a trauma centre. They said they took the other man, who wasn't as badly injured, to a local hospital.
Police said all three suffered gunshots to their lower bodies.
Const. Rob Reid, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, said officers have not found any firearms at the scene.
Reid said police have also not determined a motive for the shooting.
Avrin Sonson, a local resident, said he had his vehicle in the car wash when he heard a series of gunshots.
"I cannot even count," Sonson told CBC Toronto. "It was the same as fireworks, but I know this time it was not fireworks."
Then within minutes, police cruisers and an ambulance appeared, he said.
Sonson said he tries to avoid the plaza.
"Anything can happen at any time," he said. "That is not a place I come in often."
On Monday night, police taped off a large area of the parking lot. Proctor said the "scene will be locked down for quite some time" and there was one flat tire in the parking lot.
"We need individuals to come forward that have any information regarding this shooting or any others. The police cannot act alone," Proctor said.
"We do know there is a spike of shootings going on in the city of Toronto right now. Any little bit of information can be important to us."
Investigators are looking for eyewitnesses, CCTV footage and dashboard camera footage, Reid said. Anyone with information is urged to call 31 Division.
