Toronto police are investigating a shooting at a Scarborough pub Friday night where they say three men indiscriminately opened fire on a crowd inside, injuring 12 people.
Six of the victims suffered gunshot wounds that are non-life-threatening, police said. They said the victims range in age from their 20s to mid-50s. Police say 12 people were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The incident happened at Piper Arms Pub, near the Scarborough Town Centre, a mall near Highway 401 and McCowan Road. Police said they began receiving multiple 911 calls just before 10:40 p.m. Friday about a shooting at the establishment, which was celebrating its opening night.
Police say they are looking for three male suspects, who fled the scene in a vehicle. Police say they are still looking for a motive and are asking anyone who witnessed the attack or may have dashcam video from the area to contact investigators.
Residents should expect an increased police presence in the area, the service said.
WATCH | Here’s what we know about the shooting so far:
Toronto police are investigating a shooting at a Scarborough pub where 12 people were hurt Friday night. Police are looking for three male suspects. Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/1.7478570
Police describe a ‘brazen and reckless act of violence’
Speaking to reporters outside the pub shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday, Supt. Paul MacIntyre called the shooting a “brazen and reckless act of violence,” saying it was “extremely lucky” no one died.
MacIntyre said the pub’s surveillance video captured a scene that “horrified” investigators. The three suspects entered the pub wearing masks, one with an assault rifle, the others with handguns, and fired indiscriminately, he said.
“We’ve seen a lot of shootings over the years, a lot of video, you get inured to it to a certain extent, but tonight’s shooting, these guys just looked at the crowd and opened fire,” MacIntyre said. “It was horrible”
The video — which hasn’t been released to the public — shows patrons enjoying food and drink at tables, booths and the bar immediately ducking for cover, once the shooting started, he said. Some fell to the floor after being struck. When police arrived, MacIntyre said some patrons were still lying on the floor, or sitting in the seat where they’d been shot.
The pub floor was still covered in broken glass and blood early Saturday morning, he said.
“It looks like we had a mass-casualty shooting inside a pub,” MacIntyre said. “When you walk in, it’s kind of eerie. The drinks are still on the table. The food is still on the table. People’s purses, shoes are still in there.”
Police say they have no descriptions of the suspects, who were wearing face masks, or the vehicle they arrived and fled in. They are asking anyone with information or video of the area around the time of the shooting to contact investigators.
Police are still trying to determine if the shooting was targeted, MacIntyre said.
Multiple people posted on social media following the shooting, speculating there might be a link between the incident and recent violence connected to the tow truck industry. Asked about a possible connection, McIntyre said police have not confirmed anything yet, but are investigating that as a possibility.
Locals shaken, politicians say police will ensure safety
Several local residents told CBC Toronto Saturday morning they were disturbed something so violent could happen so close to home, and without warning.
“Pedestrians were walking by, [people were] having a good time on a Friday night, and just to see something like this, it’s terrible,” said Lemaun Bailey-McIntosh, who was out shopping near the crime scene Saturday morning.
“Thank God nobody got killed.”
Coun. Michael Thompson, who represents Scarborough Centre, said he received several calls Saturday morning from concerned locals.
He said he the news was shocking, but trusts police will get to the bottom of what led to the shooting.
“We want to ensure that the community is safe and that people who go into any of these establishments can be sure that they’re going to be OK,” Thompson said.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow told reporters Saturday morning that she was “deeply troubled” by the news and her thoughts were with the victims and their families.
Chow said she has spoken to Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw and he has assured her that “all his resources, his unit commanders, they’re there investigating all night and this morning.”
Premier Doug Ford also offered his thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families Saturday. In a post on X, he said the shooting “will not be tolerated” and Toronto police have his full support “as they bring those responsible to justice.”
A command post has been set up in the west end of a parking lot near the pub, police said.
