Police arrest second suspect in birthday party gunfight that injured 3 kids in Rexdale

Toronto police have arrested a second man in connection to a gunfight at a child’s birthday party in Rexdale that injured three children, one critically.

Police say Kevin George, 21 of Toronto, is facing four counts of aggravated assault as well as numerous gun charges.

On Monday, police announced their first arrest in the investigation. Twenty-four-year-old Demar Cadogan, who was the lone adult injured in the incident, was arrested and is now facing four gun charges including discharge firearm with intent. Cadogan remains in hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg.

Police allege George and Cadogan became involved in an argument at the party, and began shooting at each other. Toronto police Chief James Ramer said investigators believe others starting shooting as well. “We will be arresting all of you,” Ramer vowed.

Ramer couldn’t say how many suspects were being sought.

“What I know is there was an argument and they started to exchange gunfire, which to any common sense person is absurd,” Ramer added.

“It makes me very angry. It’s very traumatic.”

MEDIA ADVISORY: Today (Tuesday), 4:45 p.m., @TorontoPolice Headquarters, rear entrance on Grenville Street, @jamesramertps will update the media and provide details of another arrest made in the shooting incident from this past weekend that injured four, including three children.

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) June 22, 2021

In an update Monday, police said two of the children injured in the gunfire have been released from hospital while a five-year-old girl remains in critical condition.

Emergency crews were called to a home in Rexdale around 8 p.m. Saturday for a shooting at a birthday for a one-year-old boy.

According to police, the boy was grazed by a bullet while an 11-year-old boy was shot in the buttocks.

The brazen shooting outraged local politicians.

Premier Doug Ford called the shooting “inconceivable and beyond comprehension,” adding the “perpetrators must be found and brought to justice.”

Mayor John Tory issued a statement Sunday morning saying firing a gun in Toronto is unacceptable “anywhere anytime,” but “doing so at a child’s birthday party goes way beyond that.”

Veteran police Superintendent Ron Taverner called it “one of the most disturbing scenes” he’s seen in his long career.

“It’s disgusting,” Taverner said Sunday. “As much as this is a horrific, horrific situation, it could have been worse. There could be three dead children.”

Emmalyn, who attended the party with her son, said the ramifications of the violence will be long-lasting.

“These kids are going to remember this. It’s summertime, these kids are supposed to be eating ice cream, playing games. I’m lost for words because I don’t know what to say.”

“To know that you were here, you seen the atmosphere and know that 80 per cent of the people that were here were children. Your heartless, your cold, bottom line.”