Two shot dead in Toronto rampage

A gunman opened fire on pedestrians in a bustling Toronto neighbourhood, killing two and wounding a dozen others, police in Canada’s largest city said on Monday.

The shooter, 29, was found dead in an alley after an exchange of gunfire with police.

A video clip posted by Canadian media appeared to show a dark-clad man walking on the pavement in Toronto’s Greektown neighbourhood on Sunday night, then turning to aim and fire a handgun.

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit said: “At about 10pm [4am SA time] on July 22, a man walking along Danforth Avenue fired shots at groups of people several times. “Several people were struck. “Two civilians were fatally injured.”

The unit said officers located the man on a cross street and an exchange of gunfire took place.

“The man fled the area and was located deceased on Danforth Avenue,” it said.

Toronto police chief Mark Saunders had said earlier that one of the victims was a young woman, and that a young girl was in critical condition.

He said 13 people were wounded.

The gunman was not identified by name and a motive for the shooting in a district of cafes and restaurants was not immediately known.

Witnesses reported hearing about 20 shots.

The Globe and Mail quoted John Tulloch, out for a walk at the time, as saying: “There was a lot of shots.

“There must’ve been 20, 30 shots, altogether.

“We just ran.” –