Video captures chaos following York University student shooting

A graphic video shot in the wake of a deadly shooting inside Toronto's York University captured the chaos that followed an apparently random act of violence.

Two women were rushed to hospital late Thursday after gunfire struck one and injured another while the pair was sitting in a popular study area in the north-end campus.

Toronto police said the shooting occurred at about 10:45 p.m. in the York University Student Centre.

It is believed that a man walking through the food court fired a gun. One woman was struck in the leg by a bullet and another woman was injured by shrapnel. Both women were taken to hospital and treated with non-life-threatening injuries.

It does not appear the women were intentionally targeted.

Police say the suspect, a black man in his mid-20s, fled on foot. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black coat.

The immediate aftermath of the shooting was caught on video and posted online by York University's community newspaper, the Excalibur.

In the video, paramedics can be seen treating an injured person on the ground in a study area. Tables and chairs have been pushed aside while police officers and others crowd near the injured person.

Loud screams can be heard throughout the incident.

According to the Excalibur, several students were studying in the centre at the time of the shooting and were forced to find shelter under tables. Emergency messages posted to television screens told students to leave the scene.

By Friday morning, York University had announced that police were allowing the campus to return to "normal operations."

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University President Mamdouh Shoukri released a statement on Friday expressing his concern for the two injured students and announcing the campus would increase security measures in the wake of the shooting.

"Our immediate focus is on supporting the two students and their families, and in providing counseling support for York Community members. Senior University representatives have been with the victims at the hospital, and I am appreciative to hear that both are receiving the treatment they need. I am thankful to understand their injuries are non-life threatening," Shoukri said.

"As we have resumed normal operations, the University has taken several measures to enhance safety on campus, including increasing security patrols and the use of Toronto Police Service."

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