Around 1 a.m., a group of people celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan gathered in a parking lot to discuss where to eat after they had just finished their prayers in Markham Road and Lawrence Avenue East, police said.
“While they were here, just as they were about to leave, gunshots were heard. “And unfortunately five people were hit by these bullets from what we believe may have come from a vehicle on Markham Road that was traveling,” said Acting Staff Supt. said David Rinjik in a press conference Saturday afternoon.
Four men were found at the scene with gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
A fifth victim, who also suffered non-life-threatening injuries, made his way to the hospital.
Police said the victims were between 28 and 35 years old and some were married with children.
“Three of those five have been discharged from the hospital at the moment and the other two are expected to recover very well,” Rinjik said.
At least six shots were fired at the men, but it is unknown how many suspects were involved in the shooting, according to Rydzik.
The first information from the police stated that the suspects fled the scene in a blue car and traveled north on Markham Street.
“We believe the suspects were in a traveling vehicle, but we are working very hard to collect surveillance videos to try to confirm this, so at the moment I can not say for sure which vehicle was used in this shooting, nor do I have a description of a suspect at this time. “, Said Rinjik.
Police said they could not immediately say whether the victims were targeted because of their religious beliefs.
Rydzik added that the group of men seems to have been accidentally attacked, as there is no information to suggest that they are involved in any kind of crime.
“They [had] come only from prayers. They gather here because they are fasting all day. “They gather here as they usually would during Ramadan to understand ‘where we are going to eat’ and maybe keep talking about Ramadan and it is absolutely worrying.”
In a tweet posted Saturday afternoon, Toronto Police Chief James Ramer said that while it is too early to confirm a motive, the agency’s hate crime unit is involved in the investigation.
Nadeem Sheikh, a board member of the Scarborough Muslim Association, also spoke at the press conference and said he was concerned about the latest atrocities in the community.
“I’m really upset and worried. It bothers me. “Five mature, adult, family-oriented men were shot this morning,” Sheikh said.
“We call on our local police authorities, who work closely with our local governments, to use all available means to apprehend these suspects and to reduce armed violence in this community as well as in any other Toronto community.” he added.
Police ask anyone with information or camera footage to contact the 43rd Division or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
