Two girls shot in Scarborough playground
Police say man in crowded park likely target of bullets that sent sisters, 5 and 9, to hospital
A Scarborough neighbourhood is in shock after two sisters, ages 5 and 9, were shot at a playground Thursday afternoon. The two girls were taken by ambulance to Sick Kids Hospital.
Paramedics confirmed that the younger child was shot in the abdomen and the older girl was shot in the ankle.
Both underwent surgery and their conditions have been upgraded to nonlife-threatening.
“Obviously, these two young girls are not the intended target. Some cowards came into this neighbourhood and opened fire into a playground,” Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters at the scene. “This act is despicable, and rest assured that we’ll put adequate resources to resolve this one.”
Paramedics received a call about 5 p.m. regarding a shooting at Alton Towers Circle, in the area of McCowan Rd. and McNicoll Ave. Seven shots were fired.
There were about a dozen children in the park at the time and one man who may have been the target, police said. He has been identified as a person of interest in the investigation.
By 8 p.m., Alton Towers Circle was crowded with police cars and blocked off by incident tape. Residents in the neighbourhood of townhouses stood on their porches and in their driveways to watch the commotion.
Imran Yasar, a father of three, who lives in the neighbourhood said he came home to a street filled with police cars.
“I feel very sad,” said Yasar, who has lived in the area for eight years. “We’ve never had any incident like (this).”
Paula Shipley and her daughter were in their living room when they heard what she described as popping sounds.
Shipley initially thought the sound was hammering. “They’re doing all kinds of construction and everything,” she said.
Then her neighbour called and said “two little girls have been shot.”
Shipley said she knows the whole family. “The kids always come and hug me,” she said. “They’re a big family.”
She said she believed it was the first shooting in the neighbourhood involving a child. “It’s unbelievable.”
Mayor John Tory said his thoughts were with the family of the victims.
“This entire city wants these girls to make a full recovery and this entire city wants justice for them,” he said in a statement, adding that he had spoken to police Chief Mark Saunders about the “despicable crime.”
“I want to make it clear that I want no stone left unturned in dealing with this.”
Police are looking for two suspects: one driver of a car and one male shooter who approached the park by foot and then escaped with the driver.
Sgt. Jim Gottell of 42 Division said the vehicle was located in a parking lot be- hind the playground.
He said the school the children attend has been notified, but did not release the name of the institution.
Police are canvassing the neighbourhood for video. Anyone with information is asked to call 416-808-2222 or Crime Stoppers.