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Toronto shooting claims 1
27/12/2005 08:49 - (SA)
Toronto - Gunfire erupted on a busy Toronto street filled with holiday shoppers, killing a young woman and wounding six others, police said - the latest in a record surge in gun violence in the city this year.
Two suspects were arrested and at least one firearm was seized shortly after the shootings, which occurred on Monday afternoon near the popular Eaton Centre shopping mall.
The busy downtown area, popular with tourists, was also the site of two other shootings this year. There have been 78 murders in Toronto this year, including a record 52 gun-related deaths - twice as many as last year.
The gunfire appeared to stem from a dispute between two young men and the woman killed was a bystander, Toronto police Chief Bill Blair said.
No rational explanation
"I'm tremendously angry," said Blair. "The individuals who would be involved in such violence clearly don't care about themselves, they don't care about their fellow citizens, they don't care about the safety of the people of the city."
"There is no rational explanation for such behavior. It is so outrageous, so callous, totally disregarding of the lives and safety of other people in this city."
Authorities didn't give the name or age of the female victim. The two suspects were arrested at a subway station.
An off-duty police officer, who was shot in the leg, was among those wounded. Police said it appears he was hit after a bullet ricocheted.
Officials said the six wounded had been hospitalised.
Emergency vehicles crowded around the scene on Yonge Street, which was cordoned off with yellow police tape.
Senseless violence
"Someone said they were shot and everyone went to the back of the store," said Magnolia Sandoval, an employee at a camera store.
News of the shootings angered Mayor David Miller, who called it "a brazen act of senseless violence."
Police Staff Sergeant Stan Belza said he was "greatly disturbed" by the rise in gun killings in Toronto.
"I've seen this city change and I'm not pleased with it. We're doing everything we possibly can but it seems to be not enough," Belza said. "It seems to be so brazen, so little regard for anyone else's safety. I don't understand the boldness of it all."
The rash of recent guns deaths in Toronto prompted Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin to announce earlier this month that his government would ban handguns if he were re-elected in the January 23 election.
- SAPA
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