Twelve people were injured in the shooting at a bar in eastern Toronto, where police say the three men entered the bar and fired randomly without warning.
Police had many emergency calls at the Piper weapon shooting around 10:40 p.m. on Friday, Toronto Police Department Sheriff Paul MacIntyre said.
McIntyre said at a live press conference that a preliminary investigation identified three men entering the bar and starting shooting at clients. Not immediately arrested.
“One male armed with an assault rifle, two other males armed with pistols, they walked into the bar, they gave birth to guns, they fired without mercy on people sitting inside,” McIntyre said.
Christopher Kasarov/AP
Police arrived at the scene and found 12 people injured. McIntyre said the victim was transported to a local hospital and six were confirmed to have life-free gunshot wounds, saying the victim was “very lucky.” The remaining six victims were injured by flying and broken glass.
McIntyre said the motive was unclear, calling the shooting “a difficult and reckless act of violence that really shakes our communities and the city itself.”
McIntyre said he and other officers saw what he and his officers were “shocked”. “These guys just look at the ground and fire,” he said.
Arlyn McAdorey / AP
Shortly after the shooting, police said a suspect fled a silver car in black Balaclava, which was still very large after the shooting. People were warned to stay away from the area.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she had spoken with Police Chief Myron Demkiw and was told that “all necessary resources” had been deployed.
“This is an early and ongoing investigation – the police will provide more details,” Zhou wrote on social media. “My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
