13 shots fired during ‘callous’ drive-by shooting in York Region; Man fighting for his life in hospital

York Regional Police are searching for a suspect vehicle after a drive-by shooting in King Township that left a man fighting for his life.

Police responded to a weapons call near Schomberg, 50 kilometres northwest of downtown Toronto, around 8:40 a.m. on Sunday.

When officers arrived, they found a 65-year-old man with gunshot wounds. He was brought to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

“This was a cowardly violent act against the victim, who was doing nothing more than enjoying the morning,” says Insp. Jim Killby.

“We as a policing organization are stunned at this callous act of violence.”

Investigators say the victim was walking his dog in the area of Centre and Church streets when an SUV sped past at a high rate of speed. Police say the man “innocently gestured” at the vehicle when it turned around and circled back toward him.

The SUV drove at the man, and a person in the front passenger seat fired several rounds at him. Police say 13 shots were fired but could not confirm how many times the victim was hit.

The victim remains in the hospital in critical condition, and Killby says he is lucky to be alive.

Investigators say there is no known connection between the victim and the suspect vehicle.

“This was an innocent person walking down the street that shook his head at a vehicle speeding by,” Killby said. “It’s not a road rage incident, this is attempted murder.”

Police are looking for a white SUV, and the shooter is described as a light-brown-skinned male. The suspects fled the area driving west.

The investigation is ongoing.

Police are asking for information, including anyone in the area who may have had dashcam footage or video surveillance between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.