Tory troubled by shootings
The 162 shootings this year are an 11-per-cent increase from same time in 2017
Mayor John Tory has issued a statement condemning the rash of shootings across Toronto in recent days.
“The incidents of gun violence we have seen in our city in the past few days are shocking and can in no way be accepted or brushed aside,” Tory said.
“As mayor, I am troubled by every act of violence in our city regardless of where it happens.
“This morning, I spoke to Chief Mark Saunders about last night’s murder and other recent acts of violence in our city. I have been assured that Toronto police are doing everything possible to bring the perpetrators of these despicable crimes to justice.”
Tory’s statement follows a series of high-profile shootings this month. Two men were killed in separate shootings over the Victoria Day weekend. Mohammed Garda, 17, was pronounced dead at the scene of a shooting in the Scarborough neighbourhood of Milford Haven Dr. and Greenock Ave., near Ellesmere Ave. and Markham Rd. in the early hours of May 20.
An 18-year-old man was also taken to hospital with gunshot wounds in what police believe was a targeted attack.
In a separate shooting later that night, Jaiden Jackson, 28, was shot dead in a brazen attack in the downtown core. Police later released dramatic security footage of his killing, in which three men can be seen chasing him down a parking garage ramp on Wellington St. near Yonge St. Jackson was shot more than 20 times in a what was “clearly” a targeted attack, police said.
Late Sunday night, one man was killed and three injured following four separate shootings over the course of about an hour. Around 10:45 p.m., one man suffered non-life-threatening in a shooting in Kensington Market, near Dundas St. and Spadina Ave.
Roughly 15 minutes later, two men were taken to hospital with minor injuries after a shooting in St. James Town, near Sherbourne and Earl Sts.
At 11:55 p.m., police found 21year-old Venojan Suthesan dead at Lester B. Pearson Collegiate Institute in Malvern, near Washburn Way and Tapscott Rd. Late Monday night, Mat- thew Staikos, the CEO of Toronto-based start-up Vleepo, was shot dead in Yorkville, at Bay St. and Yorkville Ave. Investigators say that a suspect fled the area in a silver or grey four-door Mercedes.
The city’s most recent fatal shooting happened l ate Wednesday night in the downtown core. Police say 18-yearold Israel Edwards was shot at Yonge-Dundas Square and rushed to hospital in critical condition. He later died of his injuries in hospital.
No suspects have been identified at this time. According to police stats, there have been 162 shootings and 215 victims this year as of Sunday, an 11 per cent increase from the same time last year. In 2017, there has been 145 shootings and 212 victims.