Toronto in mourning
City struggling to come to terms with rampage that left 10 people dead, 15 injured
Shock gave way to grief in Toronto on Tuesday as officials and residents alike struggled to come to terms with a deadly rampage that killed 10 people and injured 15 others.
Candles and flowers piled up along the stretch of Yonge Street where a 25-year-old man allegedly drove a rented van down sidewalks Monday afternoon, striking pedestrians in his path.
Alek Minassian, 25, of Richmond Hill, Ont., has since been charged with 10 counts of firstdegree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.
Before observing a moment of silence and closing down business for the day as an act of mourning, city councillors identified one of the victims as Anne Marie D’Amico, who worked at a U.S.-based investment firm.
A South Korean news agency said two Korean nationals were also among those killed, and cited government officials as saying three others were unaccounted for. The Jordanian embassy in Ottawa said one of its citizens was among the dead.
And Seneca College said a female student was also among those killed, but didn’t provide further details.
Near the area where Monday’s carnage unfolded, wellwishers wept as they struggled to make sense of the violence that shattered the peace of a usually bustling neighbourhood that regulars describe as a safe haven.
“You feel for this community considering that you live here, you shop here, you laugh with the people here, you go out here,’’ said neighbourhood resident Don-Antonio Andrew. “It’s a very traumatic time for this area and for your neighbourhood.’’
Andrew, who said one pedestrian got hit directly in front of his apartment building, came to lay flowers at the scene in a show of solidarity with the neighbourhood he described as one of the best he’s lived in since he moved to Canada.
Claire Hurley, who was making her own floral contribution to the makeshift memorial, said the fatal attack was difficult to reconcile with the safe community she’s come to know.
“This always seems like a really safe neighbourhood, so it was a big shock,’’ she said while wiping back tears. “Everyone was out enjoying the sunshine, and enjoying life. I guess you just have to ... enjoy every day.’’
The memorial was set up on the east side of Yonge Street, just below Finch Avenue, where the deadly incident took place. Police officers still blanketed the scene on Tuesday as they continued to investigate.
Police have not yet released the names and ages of the victims, but Toronto Coun. Cesar Palacio revealed D’Amico’s identity at an early-morning session at city hall, adding that he reached out to her father to express condolences.
“You feel for this community considering that you live here, you shop here, you laugh with the people here, you go out here.’’
Don-Antonio Andrew