Drive-by shooting in Rexdale leaves 1 man dead

Toronto police continue to investigate after aman waskilled in a drive-by shootinginRexdaleon Wednesday night.

Officers were called for a shooting in a shopping plaza near Martin Grove Road and John Garland Boulevard around 11:30 p.m. after a number of gunshots were reported in the area.

Police said they located a victim in his 30s who was transported to Sunnybrook Hospital by paramedics in life-threatening condition. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

The mother of the victim, who arrived shortly after the shooting, was also taken to the same hospital in shock, police said.

Police are hoping to locate asilver-coloured vehicle that was spotted in the area at the time of the shooting, according to Supt. Ron Taverner.

He said Toronto has seen "very disturbing" increase in the number of drive-by shootings.

"These things happen in a matter of seconds," told CBCToronto.

"In a lot of cases they are using vehicles which are rented or stolen or whatever other means and leave the area very quickly."

No information about suspects released

Taverner could notsay if the shooting was targeted, but thevictim was with a female at the time who was uninjured in the shooting. He said a number of people were shopping in the area when the gunfire erupted.

The victim, he said, could have been anyone in that crowd.

Investigators will be looking for surveillance video in the area and are asking that any witnesses come forward with information to help track the gunman and any other suspects down.

Taverneradded there was another shooting in the same area, near SilverstoneDrive, on Tuesday that left a man injured. Police will be looking at whether or not there's a connection between thetwo incidents.

Police told CBCno arrests have been made, and suspect information has not been released at this point.