2 men dead, 1 arrested after 'terrifying' daytime shooting in Toronto, police say - Action News
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Toronto

2 men dead, 1 arrested after 'terrifying' daytime shooting in Toronto, police say

Two men are dead, awoman is injuredand a third man is in custody after a daytime shooting in downtown Toronto on Tuesday, police say.

Victims and suspect are related, police say; specific relationship not yet released

Police work the scene of a fatal shooting in downtown Toronto on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.  THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Police work the scene of a fatal shooting in downtown Toronto on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press)

Two men are dead, awoman is injuredand another man is in custody after a daytime shooting in downtown Toronto on Tuesday, police say.

All four people involved, the three victims and one suspect, are related,according to Det.-Sgt. Tiffany Castell of the Toronto Police Service.Castell declined to say how the four are related.

The incident happened in Regent Park, in the area of Dundasand Parliament streets. Police say they received several 911 calls about gunshots atabout 1:30 p.m.

"There were people who were out here walking around, people who are taking their kids out to play. It's March Break. It is certainly terrifying. It's something that's very saddening, the fact that we've lost two members of our community here," she said.

Two police officers wereinjured while pursuing the suspect and takento hospital with non-life threatening injuries. One officer remains in hospital, Castell said.

"I'm just so grateful to the exceptional work by officers at 51 Division who put their lives legitimately on the line here today to take this individual into custody. I'm grateful that, at the end of it, while we've lost two of our citizens, that we didn't lose any additional individuals in this sad occasion."

Castell said the incident began in a house on Arnold Avenueand spilled out onto the street.

Police arrived to find three people suffering gunshot wounds.

One man was pronounced dead at the scene.A second man was rushed toa local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

A womanwas also takentohospital with non-life threatening injuries and is expected to be released soon.

Photo of two police on the street surrounded by yellow tape reading
Dundas Street E. was closed between Parliament Street and Sackville Street after two men were killed in a shooting Tuesday afternoon. (Jrmie Bergeron/CBC)

Castell said officers located the suspect and were pursuing him on foot, when "quite the altercation" occurred. The suspect was arrested on SackvilleStreet, she said.Ontario's Special Investigations Unit has not been notified.

Afirearm has been recovered, she said.

"At this point, we're not seeking any other individuals in relation to the shooting, but we're certainly we're seeking anyone who was a witness or anyone who knows anything at all about what occurred," she said.

Next of kin has yet to be notified and no names have been released.

The homicide unit is investigating.

As of 10 p.m., Dundas Street E. between Parliament Streetand Sackville Street was still closed for the investigation.

The scene where two police officers were injured while chasing a shooting suspect is pictured in Toronto, Tuesday, March 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
The scene where two police officers were injured while chasing a shooting suspect is pictured in Toronto, Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press)

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, said the deaths "deeply saddened" her.

"My heart goes out to the families and community. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured officers," Chow wrote.

"I've spoken with the Chief to express gratitude for the officers' swift action in apprehending the suspect."

Coun. Chris Moise, who represents Toronto Centre, said one of his staffknowsthe family that wasvictimized in the shooting on Tuesday.

MoisesaidRegent Park recently celebrated two years without a single death due to gun violence and it's "heartbreaking" to have to see gun violence in the community again.

"It's sad to hear," he said. "It's a difficult day."