2 men shot, 1 stabbed, 7 officers injured in violent night at Woodbine Beach Park
Two men were shot, another was stabbed and seven police officers sustained injuries — including one who broke his leg — during several violent incidents at Woodbine Beach Park Sunday night, Toronto police say.
"Over the course of several hours, there were multiple incidents, including a shooting, a stabbing and two reported robberies at gunpoint," Insp. Jeff Bassingthwaite said at a news conference on Monday.
Bassingthwaite said officers also responded to multiple calls of crowds of people illegally setting off fireworks, alleging that some individuals "were intentionally directing fireworks at people, including at police officers."
"This reckless behaviour resulted in injuries to our officers," he said, adding that police responded to protect the public "despite a hostile crowd and having fireworks aimed at them."
LISTEN | Chaos at Woodbine Beach 'unacceptable,' says Coun. Brad Bradford:
Bassingthwaite said two officers received burns and ear injuries when fireworks were thrown at — and exploded near — them, while another officer was struck directly in the face by a firework and sustained serious abrasions to his face, ears and eyes.
"This is unacceptable behaviour and we will continue to investigate all of these incidents," he said.
Councillor decries 'chaos on the beach'
Toronto police said it arrested 19 suspects following the incident.
Among them, a 15-year-old boy and 20-year-old man were both charged with assaulting an officer. A 17-year-old boy from Simcoe County, 16-year-old girl from Toronto, and 17-year-old girl from Toronto were all charged with robbery.
An additional 14 charges of common nuisance were laid on the remaining suspects, whose ages ranged from 14 to 24.
Speaking on CBC Radio's Metro Morning Tuesday, Beaches-Eat York Coun. Brad Bradford said he started getting messages from residents about "chaos on the beach" around 9 p.m. or so. The party grew after posts about it spread on TikTok, he added.
"Folks felt unsafe, they were terrified, they didn't want to go outside, and that's not the type of behaviour we want to see — this lawlessness," Bradford said.
Police said one of the shooting victims is a man in his early 20s, while the stabbing victim is an 18-year-old man. The age of the second shooting victim is not yet known.
Police say they were called to Woodbine Beach Park with reports that someone had been shot.
When officers arrived they located a man with a gunshot wound. Paramedics transported him to hospital with what police called "serious injuries."
Police also said a man walked into a hospital with a gunshot wound. Officers confirmed that the man had been shot earlier at Woodbine Beach Park. They believe he was injured during the same incident in which the victim they found was shot.
Meanwhile, police said they were also called to Woodbine Beach Park for a stabbing.
Officers located a man with injuries and he was transported to hospital by paramedics.
A spokesperson with Toronto police told CBC News on Monday that the two shooting victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while the 18-year-old suffered minor injuries.
Toronto Paramedics also responded to several other calls for fireworks-related incidents in the area Sunday night.
They say several people were assessed and one teenage boy sustained minor injuries.
'Criminal and reckless acts,' mayor says
Mayor John Tory described the incidents at Woodbine Beach and Ashbridges Bay as "criminal and reckless acts."
In a statement on Twitter the mayor says he continues to get updates from Toronto Police Chief Jim Ramer.
"This is totally unacceptable behaviour and I support police doing all they can to protect people and keep the public safe," Tory said.
Large police presence for Monday fireworks
With large crowds expected for the city's fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay Park Monday, Bassingthwaite said police would have a large and visible operation in place.
He reminded residents that city bylaws prohibit possession of fireworks on beaches and parks, and any person found in possession of them is subject to charges and search and seizure by law enforcement, including city bylaw officers and Toronto police.
"Anyone who engages in activity that risks public safety can expect to be arrested," Bassingthwaite said.
Toronto police announced Tuesday morning that officers were present at Ashbridges Bay Monday, and found "a largely peaceful crowd," according to a news release.
However, one person was stabbed, police say, and there were five arrests made during the course of the night, with a gun recovered. No officers were injured, police say.
