‘Hit by a stray bullet:’ Toronto’s latest homicide victim described as gentle soul

Toronto police say one of the victims in a double-shooting in the city’s Entertainment District early Sunday morning has died in hospital as one of his relatives opened up about gun violence plaguing city streets.

The deceased man has been identified by police as Pardeep Brar, 26, of Brampton.

A 24-year-old woman was also shot. Her injuries were non-life-threatening, and she has since been released from the hospital.

Police were called to the EFS Social on King Street West, east of Bathurst Street, just after 3:30 a.m. Sunday for reports of a shooting.

Authorities have not released any suspect information at this time.

Victim is relative of former Conservative Party candidate Ramandeep Brar

Former Conservative Party of Canada candidate Ramandeep Brar was a relative of the 26-year-old victim. Ramandeep ran as the Conservative Party’s candidate in Brampton South during the 2019 federal election.

He tells CityNews that Pardeep’s grandfather and Ramandeep’s mother-in-law are cousins. He described the 26-year-old as a gentle, soft-spoken young man.

“I interacted only a few times with him. As a politician, I ran in two elections. It’s a busy lifestyle. The way he interacted with me, the first time I was running, he talked to me in a very soft way. He was very interested… why am I running? What would I do for the city if elected,” Ramandeep said.

“He wanted to know me. He really took an interest.”

Ramandeep said Pardeep’s mother is inconsolable. She found out about her son’s death in the morning, after he was out to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

“He had no fight with anyone, nothing,” Ramandeep said. “He was hit by a stray bullet. We could understand if it was a targeted shooting… the targeted guy was hiding in a group of people. [Pardeep] was coming out of the washroom, and he was hit.”

Ramandeep tells CityNews that police informed the family that Pardeep’s shooting was accidental, noting that the gunman was specifically targeting another individual that night.

“This criminal should be put behind bars,” he said. “The guy that shot him. After a few months, he’ll be out on bail. Who will console the parents of Pardeep when it’s come to know that the criminal is out on bail.”

Toronto police investigators are urging the public to come forward with information regarding the homicide.

With files from Michael Talbot of CityNews