Two teens arrested after man shot at party
Police believe home was rented through Airbnb for large-scale event
“A couple of hundred people” were at a Whitchurch-Stouffville property where a man was shot and killed during a party early Friday, York police say.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Const. Andy Pattenden said police believe the home on Bloomington Rd. E., east of Ninth Line, had been rented as a short-term rental for the crowded party, adding many people left before talking to officers.
Pattenden said he could not confirm reports the event was an after-prom party. He also did not provide the name or age of the victim.
“It is a large home on a large property, so it is a significant investigative scene,” Pattenden said.
In a news release, York police said they received a call about gunshots shortly after 4 a.m.
Police found a man with apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
About half an hour after the shooting, two teens were arrested after they were found in the bushes at a nearby home on Bethesda Rd.
Police said they had information the pair were knocking on doors looking for someone to call them a taxi.
Officers found a handgun near where the male teens were arrested.
York police later charged the pair with firearms offences, according to a news release. A 16year-old from Richmond Hill and a 17-year-old from Newmarket are each facing five charges.
The teens can’t be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police aren’t sure whether the two incidents are connected, however, “given the close proximity of the two calls, there is a strong possibility they may be linked,” Pattenden said.
The address on Bloomington Rd. E. was listed on Airbnb, but it was removed Friday morning.
“The booking guest has been removed from Airbnb and the listing has been suspended as we investigate,” spokesperson Ben Breit said in a statement to the Star.
“The safety of our community is our priority, and our thoughts are with the victims of this senseless tragedy.
“There is no place on Airbnb for such an abhorrent act, which violates everything our Canadian community stands for.”
The removed listing had said parties and reunions are welcome at the home, which is on 25 acres of land. It was listed for $700 a night.
“Custom Built 5000+ Sq. Ft 2 Storey Brick Home with 5 bedrooms, 5 full bathrooms plus 2 partial bathrooms, a brand new basement with 2 tatami rooms, a karaoke room and A BAR! (YES)! one big meeting room with 26 chairs and a TV, one sunroom and two dining rooms on the first floor,” it read.
“Close to the lake and Stouffville town centre.”
The house sits alone atop a small hill, dozens of metres from the road. There’s a double-gated entrance with two lamps on both sides. A red mailbox near the gate has a small Canadian flag mounted on it.
The house is in an isolated area, with hundreds of metres between neighbours.
Friday was a high school professional activity day for teachers in the York Region District School Board.
YorkRegion.com reports that two students and a teacher say the party was for students of Bill Crothers Secondary School. Meshell Lynch-James, the principal of the school, directed the Star to the school board.
Licinio Miguelo, a board spokesperson, said the school board has heard about the incident from police, but doesn’t have confirmation on the victim’s identity.
He said “several proms” happened Thursday night.
“Schools in the board do coordinate proms, but after-proms are not school-sanctioned events,” Miguelo said.
“We generally do caution parents and students to ensure that students are safe at all times, and there’s often reminders about after-proms, but they’re not organized through the school so we don’t carry a complete list of after-prom parties that may be happening.”
Four Season Tree Care and the home of the family that owns the business are located next to the property.
Lois Key, 80, was in the home alone overnight, but slept through the incident, said her daughter Sharon.
“It’s kind of scary,” said Sharon, an arborist at the family business, adding the situation is “very disturbing.”
Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7865 or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477.
“We know there were people here, we know there were people who probably heard what happened or saw what happened,” Pattenden said.
“We need them to contact us right away.”