Witnesses at a Highway 7 and East Beaver Creek Road restaurant development were left stunned when an unidentified male suspect fired multiple shots at a vehicle, killing a 22-year-old Toronto man inside, at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 2.
The shooting occurred in a parking lot near a Keg restaurant.
“The victim was in his vehicle at the front area of the restaurant when this incident occurred. The shooting actually took place while the victim was seated,” said York Regional Police (YRP) Const. Laura Nicolle. “We do believe that [the parking lot] was quite heavily populated at the time. Given that … everyone had a mixed view of what they were seeing. We haven’t gotten a solid suspect description to my knowledge up to this point.”
It is believed the suspect fled on foot in a “northeast” direction alongside the Keg restaurant.
Toronto Police Service Const. David Hopkinson confirmed that the victim had been charged with criminal harassment prior to the shooting and was due to go before a Toronto court Nov. 18.
Other reports allege that this was not the first time the victim had been attacked by gunfire. In 2011, his car was pelted by gunshots in Toronto while he was at the wheel.
York Regional Police would not confirm if the homicide was linked to other recent homicides or gang violence and cautioned that appearances can be deceiving.
“I don’t have anything that indicates any connections at this point. Obviously with any incident where there’s been any links investigators will follow up,” said Const. Nicolle.
At press time, no charges had been filed in the case, and YRP is encouraging anyone who has not come forward to police with information to do so.
