More security footage released in Bleecker St. homicide

Toronto police have released more security footage in an attempt to identify two people and two vehicles connected to the murder of Nisan Nirmalendran in Cabbagetown last week.

Nirmalendran, 21, was shot multiple times at 55 Bleecker St., near Sherbourne and Carlton streets, around 11:15 p.m. on Thursday night. He was pronounced dead in hospital the following day, making him the city’s 13th homicide.

Police say they are trying to identify the shooter, as well as a person of interest, who was with Nirmalendran earlier in the day and who may have lured him outside the seniors’ highrise before the shooting.

The latest video showed an elderly woman caught in the gunfire in the vestibule of the main entrance to the building.

She was unharmed but Det. Sgt. Terry Browne said, “She is not doing well at all. She did suffer some minor physical injuries, but as you can see from these images that it is extremely traumatizing. She has had a horrific time dealing with it emotionally. Clearly the bullet goes and strikes that window. It could have been her.”

During a news conference on Monday, Browne said the person of interest was caught on video attempting to conceal himself several times as he entered and exited the building.

He was described as a black man wearing a dark jacket with light-coloured sleeves and a distinctive checked shirt or scarf.

Police said the shooter is a black man, who was wearing a charcoal or grey jacket with a hood. He may have also been wearing a white shirt.

“I’m appealing to everyone viewing this video to look closely at the images of the suspect and person of interest as they are someone’s son, grandson, brother, cousin, nephew, friend or neighbour,” said Browne.

Witnesses reported seeing two vehicles, described as a Dodge or Town and Country silver minivan and an Acura TL, fleeing the area at the time of the shooting.

Security camera video has been released of two vehicles matching those descriptions driving north on Sherbourne Street at the time of the incident.

Police are looking to speak with anyone who may have seen these vehicles together in the Wellesley and Sherbourne area.

There has been no established motive for the shooting.

Nirmalendran’s brother was one of two people killed in the Eaton Centre shooting last June. Police said the two instances do not appear to be connected.

“Obviously any time two members of a family are murdered, it causes concern for everyone, but we have nothing to suggest the two incidents are related,” said Browne.

Watch the security video release by Toronto Police Service below.

– with files from Shawne McKeown and Erin Criger

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