Tell us: How do you feel about the police response to the Toronto Raptors parade shooting?
As Toronto celebrated the historic NBA championship win for the Raptors, a frightening event shook up the city.
Officials confirmed that a shooting occurred near Nathan Phillip’s Square during the ceremony, following the parade throughout downtown Toronto to celebrate the Raptors’ first NBA title in franchise history. Four victims sustained non-life threatening injuries and three people have been arrested in connection with the shooting.
SHOOTING:
Nathan Phillip's Square
**Update**
-4 victims located
-None of the injuries are life threatening
-3 people arrested
-2 firearms recovered
-Investigators wish any video to assist in investigation
-Please use portal: https://t.co/NGv3aZdlDO
^dh— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) June 17, 2019
Thousands of people were in the area and a large group could be seen running from the celebration, trying to get away from the scene of the shooting as quickly as possible. There was a brief delay in the ceremony as the shooting was announced on stage to the public, but speeches and celebrations continued throughout the afternoon.
I was recording moments before it happened and captured the 4 gunshots!! pic.twitter.com/ZOFtgaKcDo
— Liz Quemada (@LizQuemada) June 17, 2019
Warning: bad language. Fans started running on Bay Street. #WeTheNorh pic.twitter.com/VpfOkEV5pz
— Antonella Artuso (@suntooz) June 17, 2019
#NEW Video sent by a viewer to CP24 shows the moment one of the suspects were taken down by Toronto Police and TTC Special Constables. Toronto Police now say 4 people were injured in the Raptors parade shooting and 3 were arrested. 2 weapons recovered. pic.twitter.com/om74oEBpp5
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) June 17, 2019
Toronto Mayor John Tory took released a statement Monday evening condemning the attack and thanking officers for their quick response.
My statement on today's shooting. pic.twitter.com/3FI01vhaKV
— John Tory (@JohnTory) June 17, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also released a statement on Twitter to praise Toronto Police for “acting so quickly.”
I hope all those injured in today’s shooting have a speedy recovery, and I’d like to thank the Toronto Police for acting so quickly. We won’t let this act of violence take away from the spirit of today's parade.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 18, 2019
Others took to social media to share mixed response to the police reaction to the shooting, citing everything from a quick reaction to a lack of planning.
Have to commend the Police officers excellent work
— Raj Balasingham (@RajBalasingham) June 18, 2019
ZERO planning by @TPSOperations @cityoftoronto and @Raptors
Pathetic and unsafe. Your officers did what they had to but wouldn’t have had to do so much had you put one ounce of planning into this parade. Embarrassing on all fronts.— The Guggemeister (@googz80) June 18, 2019
I saw the exact moment they took one of the suspects down at the Eaton Centre entrance off Queen. He got past the first 4 officers going in to the mall (heavily armed)and the officer on the bike outside recognized him and threw his bike down and grabbed his arm.Officer was a hero
— FACT CHECKER (@FLYpina) June 18, 2019
I just want to commend the force and officers today. I cant imagine how hard it must've been to do your jobs in such a large crowd. Great work salvaging the parade in the face of such difficult circumstances.
— David (@therajimahal) June 18, 2019
We were at the @raptors parade yesterday when the shooting happened. We ended up in lockdown in an office building. It was very scary. But while everyone was running AWAY from the gunshots, @TorontoPolice were running TOWARDS the gunshots. Our first responders are true heroes. pic.twitter.com/nNY1t1lqau
— Anthony McLean (@anthonymclean) June 18, 2019
After the unfortunate #raptorsvictoryparade shooting, this little girl was trampled from people leaving the square. This officer saw her scraped elbow, and got down to clean it and give her a Band-Aid. #RaptorsParade #RaptorsParade shooting @Raptors @TorontoPolice pic.twitter.com/YK1kiHB6fr
— Josiah Botting (@jbotting347) June 18, 2019
What do you think of the police response to the shooting in Toronto? Vote in the poll above and leave your thoughts in the comments below.
