Victim, suspect identified in Eaton Centre shooting
Posted June 3, 2012 6:55 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Police said Sunday they think they know who the gunman is in the shooting rampage at Toronto’s Eaton Centre that killed one man and injured several other people.
Police confirmed their initial impressions that the shooting was a targeted act, acting deputy chief Jeff McGuire told a news conference Sunday.
”This is one very large horrific event, but it’s not the state of the city of Toronto, it’s an isolated incident, there have been other shootings, but … please do not gauge the city on what we saw yesterday,” he said.
Police have not been able to definitively determine if the shooting was gang-related, but at least one of the victims had known gang links. The man who was killed, who police identified as Ahmed Hassan, 24, of Toronto, is believed to have gang links, said Det. Sgt. Brian Borg.
“We are investigating this person as well as another individual. It may be that both of them have gang affiliations, or it may be just the one of them, but we do believe that our deceased in this case may have had some gang affiliation,” Borg said.
Police did not elaborate on the suspect they are looking for, beyond a brief reference in an opening statement.
Police were reviewing security video in their hunt for the shooter and interviewing witnesses who were among the hundreds of people in the shopping mall when the gunfire erupted Saturday evening, causing panicked shoppers to stampede toward the exit in a wild pandemonium.
Seven people suffered either gunshot wounds or injuries in the stampede to the exits. The most seriously wounded is a man, 23, who suffered multiple gunshot injuries to his neck and chest. He remained in hospital in critical condition.
A 13-year-old boy who was visiting Toronto with his family suffered a gunshot wound to his head and remains in critical condition, but was responding well to treatment, Borg said.
Three other people suffered less serious gunshot wounds and were released from hospital.
A small vigil for the victims was held at 6 p.m.at Yonge-Dundas Square Sunday. Click here for more information.
A pregnant woman who was trampled as people rushed the exits was released from hospital.
“That woman and her unborn child, I’m glad to say are doing well,” Borg said.
Officers stood guard at the Eaton Centre’s entrances Sunday morning and several police cruisers were parked nearby.
The retail and parking portions of the Eaton Centre will reopen Monday, while the Urban Eatery food court will reopen Tuesday, Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited announced. Usual mall hours apply. Click here for more information.
But on Sunday, the usual afternoon crowds began to appear on the sidewalks outside the mall but many of those who ambled past seemed unaware of — or undisturbed by — the shooting. Some tried to walk inside despite the police cruisers blocking the entrances and were rebuffed by officers guarding the doors.
Tourists paused to snap pictures of police and some even posed with the officers outside.
But people who work inside the shopping mall said the case has them on edge.
“It’s a little bit nerve-racking,” said Rachel Kennedy, who was two hours into her shift at The Gap on Saturday when someone ran into the store and reported hearing gunshots.
“I think I would feel a lot more unnerved if I had actually heard the gunshots go off, but I think people are on edge just because it’s such a choice attraction … and nobody really knows what the motivation was or what happened or anything like that as of yet,” she said.
Food court employees will likely take longer to recover, she said, adding: “I wouldn’t want to go back to work down there.”
Meanwhile, Carol Bigwood and her 10-year-old granddaughter Eden Everatt tried to make their way inside Sunday to pick up photos they had dropped off at Black’s moments before the chaos broke out.
Bigwood said she was surprised to find her path blocked by officers.
“I thought it was going to be like when the subways are closed … It’s just a minor inconvenience,” she said.
“I’m not too worried about going back in. I still think compared to other cities in the world, Toronto is very safe,” she said.
Police will be releasing details Monday on where to send photos and video of the shooting, as well as where people who were there at the time can pick up items they left behind.
With files from CityNews.ca staff
Both Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued statements on the Eaton Centre shooting.
Premier McGuinty said:
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Chief Blair for his leadership and Toronto Police Services for their relentless determination as they work to bring the suspect in yesterday’s shooting to justice.
“I also want to thank the doctors, nurses and paramedics whose professionalism and skill saved lives yesterday, and who are helping to heal the wounded today.”
“Ontarians know our province is not defined by one incident of criminal violence, but by the countless good works done every day by law abiding, caring and compassionate people. The ongoing work being done by police services and our health care providers are proof of that.”
“What yesterday’s events show, so clearly, is that we are a province of millions who pull together to lift one another up — and who refuse to be intimidated by a single criminal out to gun others down.”
Prime Minister Harper said:
“I was shocked and saddened to learn about the deadly attack at the Eaton Centre in Toronto yesterday.
“On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim, and wish a speedy recovery to those injured by this senseless act of violence.
“Canadians should be assured that such depraved and monstrous acts will be met with the full force of the law.
“I have every confidence that the Toronto Police will bring the criminal or criminals responsible for this senseless act to justice.
“I urge anyone with information to contact the police immediately.”
