2 shot, 2 arrested at Raptors rally; celebration continued
TORONTO — Two people were shot and wounded at a rally Monday for the NBA champion Toronto Raptors that turned into a stampede. Police said there were two arrests.
Droves of Raptors fans ran from the shooting in the City Hall square packed with tens of thousands of fans. A million or more fans earlier packed downtown Toronto for a parade, raising safety concerns amid problems with overcrowding.
Toronto police spokeswoman Allison Sparkes confirmed the shootings and arrests. Two firearms were recovered.
“We have no incidents currently underway. Crowds are dispersing,” Sparkes said.
Asked if it was a targeted shooting or terrorism-related, Sparkes said the investigation was underway.
During a speech from one of the team owners the host of the rally interrupted the proceedings to say there were dealing with an emergency situation and asked for calm. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Toronto’s mayor, star player Kawhi Leonard the other players were among those on stage at the time. They remained in place and speeches resumed shortly after.
Mike Mudidi said he was enjoying the celebrations when he heard screams behind him that someone had pulled out a gun. He said he froze as people started running in all directions.
“I just grabbed my buddies’ hands and ran,” he said, noting he was startled but otherwise OK.
Earlier in the day, Mayor John Tory urged every resident to come celebrate the Raptors’ first championship and declared this “We The North Day” in Toronto, after the franchise’s slogan.
Some 1.5 million fans withstood packed conditions to attend the parade.