1 male killed in shooting at prom after-party in York Region
Posted May 3, 2019 5:54 am.
Last Updated May 3, 2019 5:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A male has been killed in a shooting at an Airbnb rental in Whitchurch-Stouffville that was being used to host an after-prom party.
CityNews has learned that the party was for students at Bill Crothers Secondary School in Markham.
York police were called to the home in the Bloomington Road and Highway 48 area at around 4 a.m.
The victim, who has not yet been identified, was found in an upstairs bedroom suffering from a single gunshot wound and was pronounced dead on the scene.
Students told CityNews they felt uncomfortable when a group who weren’t from the high school arrived uninvited, prompting many to begin leaving.
Shortly after the shooting, police were called to a home on nearby Bethesda Road after two men had been knocking on doors looking for someone to call them a taxi.
When officers arrived, two males were found hiding in nearby bushes and were arrested.
Investigators also found a handgun near where the men were arrested. Police have not indicated what charges they are facing. Both have been remanded in custody until bail hearings next week.
“It’s far to early to tell if these two scenes or incidents are connected to each other, however, given the reasonably close proximity to it, our homicide investigators are looking into (whether) these two incidents are connected,” said Sgt. Andy Pattenden.
Police also add they believe several hundred people who were at the party left before police arrived. Anyone who witnessed the shooting is asked to contact police.
CityNews spoke with the Airbnb host who said the home had been in use for a prom type of party, but was not aware anything had occurred at their house until getting a call from police.
Whitchurch-Stouffville councilman Richard Bartley said he was shocked to hear the news.
“It’s a young life lost, family destroyed,” said Bartley, who added he has not been briefed by police on what happened or the details about the victim. “It’s a tragedy for anyone involved.”
He added he was not concerned that properties in the area being used for large-scale parties, but said he has concerns about the result of last night’s party.
