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Roberto Dixon ID'd as Alexandra Park shooting victim

Roberto Dixon ID'd as Alexandra Park shooting victim

A Toronto man is dead after a double shooting early Saturday morning in Alexandra Park.

Police say Roberto Dixon, a 27-year-old father of two, was one of two men shot in the downtown park at about 4:15 a.m. Dixon had been shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second man, said to be in his 30s, was also shot several times but is expected to survive.

Investigators at 14 Division say the victims and another man were sitting on a park bench when someone approached them, talked to them and then opened fire.

Police blocked off a large section around Bathurst Street and Dundas Street West for about two hours as members of the Emergency Task Force and canine units scoured the area. But by daybreak there was no sign of the suspect.

Police are characterizing this shooting as a targeted attack.

Dixon's death marks the city's fourth homicide of the year. He was well-known in the neighbourhood and at the community centre, just steps from where he was shot.

"He would have been here — right this moment, right today — as part of our food share program getting food for his family," said Donna Harrow, executive director of the Alexandra Park Community Centre.

Local politicians including Coun. Joe Cressy turned out to offer support and talk about stopping violence in the community.

"Whether you're talking about community policing, whether you're talking about the community centres that allow young people to have opportunities — these are all preventive actions," Cressy said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS.