6 injured, 1 critically, after shooting behind Ajax restaurant: police

A person is in life-threatening condition and five others have been injured after a shooting behind an Ajax restaurant during a customer appreciation event early Monday, Durham Regional Police officers say.

Staff Sgt. Tony Romano told reporters emergency crews were called to a restaurant on Harwood Avenue South near Highway 401 at around 1:20 a.m.

He said five victims were found at the scene with gunshot wounds and a sixth person went to a Toronto hospital later on.

The three women and three men were all treated for injuries at hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area.

Officers said they believe the suspect was at the event when they got into a verbal fight with other people in attendance. They said the suspect took off from the area in a dark-coloured, four-door vehicle, but further descriptions of the individual(s) and the vehicle weren’t released.

Forensic services investigators closed off part of the area to gather evidence.

Tape blocks off part of a parking lot in Ajax where a shooting occurred early Monday. CITYNEWS / Bert Dandy.