3 suspects sought in Bridle Path shooting

Toronto police are on the hunt for three suspects after a shooting in the affluent Bridle Path neighbourhood over the weekend.

Police say they received a call from a residence on Bayview and Lawrence avenues around 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Upon arrival, officers found a male victim lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the upper body. His injuries are not considered life-threatening at this time.

Police believe there were about 20 to 30 people present at the time of the shooting, but residents in the area say the crowd was much larger.

“Guns do not have direction, they are where they are, people bring them”

An area resident, who did not want to be identified, tells CityNews the home is regularly rented out as an Airbnb and the homeowner lives outside the country.

On Monday, police chief Mark Saunders spoke with the media about the recent spell of gun violence in the city over the August long weekend. Thirteen people were shot in 11 incidents over the three days with injuries ranging from live-threatening to minor.

He said that while no area in the city is immune to gun violence, he is optimistic investigators may solve this crime.

“Guns do not have direction, they are where they are, people bring them too … that specific address in the Bridle Path, it’s with Airbnb and there have been complaints and a lot of ongoing negative history,” Saunders explained.

“That particular investigation I feel very good with and I’m hoping that we have an opportunity to solve that one … that one’s very promising for us.”

The Airbnb listing is no longer active but it detailed that the mansion is a five-bedroom property with eight bathrooms, able to host 12 guests. A spokesperson for Airbnb said they are looking into the situation.

“The reported behaviour is abhorrent,” said Benjamin Breit. “This listing is no longer on Airbnb’s platform and we’ve suspended the booking guest as we urgently investigate.”