Teen arrested in Queen West shootout faces separate murder charge

Toronto police say a 16-year-old arrested in a dramatic incident this weekwhere 100 gunshots were fired outside a Queen Street W.recording studio has now been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a homicide from earlier this year.

Police saythe teenager was among 23 arrested in connection with Monday night's shooting, which also resulted in 16 guns being seized.

The teenager is charged in connection with the shooting death of 30-year-old Matthew Bergart, who was killed at the end of Aprilduring an alleged home invasion in the Long Branch Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard W.area.

"This is a situation where there was a bad decision to do a break and enter, and that was compounded and turned into a a murder," saidDet. Sgt. Brandon Price. "We were fortuitous that he was caught up in in this event so that he could be taken off of the streets."

'Miracle' nobody was killed in Monday shooting: police

Monday's shootout happened asplainclothesofficers were in the Queen Street W. and Sudbury Street area looking for a man wanted in connection with a robbery,Staff Sgt. Joe Matthews told reporters.

Police allegea stolen car pulled into the FreshCo parking lot and three people got out and opened fire at the recording studio which is in the back of the Queen Street block of buildingswhere a birthday party was taking place.

Matthews confirmed that a video posted on social media may have led the gunmen to the studio.

"Not only were they allegedly brazenly displaying these weapons on social media, but they also brought these firearms out into our streets and engaged in reckless exchange of gunfire," said Matthews.

WATCH|Group 'brazenly' displayed weapons in social media video, Toronto police allege:

Group brazenly displayed weapons in social media video, Toronto police allege

11 hours ago

Duration 2:19

Toronto police have charged eight people and seized 16 firearms in connection with the shootout between two groups outside a Queen Street W. recording studio this week. Staff Supt. Joe Matthews said one group was attending a birthday party and allegedly filmed a video showing multiple guns.

After the initial gunfire, those inside the studio came out and returned fire. Matthews confirmed a number of bullets struck an unmarked police vehicle.

Somehow, nobody was injured in the barrage of gunfire.

"It is a miracle that nobody was injured or killed," Matthews said.

Two of the three suspects from the vehicle who initially started firing are still outstanding. Police say they boxed in their vehicle and arrested one personafter a foot chase.

Officers then entered the recording studio and took more people into custody, along with one individual who was leaving the recording studio and found in possession of a gun.

Twenty-three people were arrested after Monday's shootout, with eight of them being charged, police said.

Police said they recovered several firearms that were left behind by those running away, with some weapons being discarded at the garbage bins at the recording studio and other areas. Police say the recovered firearms are allfrom the U.S.

Police inspector Paul Krawczyk told reporters policeknow gangs are involved, though he did not name them.

"We know where they're coming from," said Krawczyk. "But I don't want to give them any advertising whatsoever right now."

Matthews said a "deeply concerning" aspect of Monday's shooting is that the age of those taken into custody ranges from 16 to 30 years old.

"It should alarm all of us that the young people we took into custody are already heavily involved in serious activity and armed with high-powered firearms," he said.

Seven of those arrested are facing multiple charges, including unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Police strengthen calls for bail reform

Earlier this week, three Ontario police associations already called on the federal government to take "immediate action" on implementing stricter bail policies in the aftermath of Monday's shooting.

Two out of the eight people who were changed were out on bail, Matthews said Thursday, adding that the 16-year-old charged with murder was under a firearms prohibition.

"This speaks directly to the growing concern around our current bail system and underscores the urgent need for bail reform," said Matthews.