Drive-by double shooting in downtown Toronto may have been ‘road rage’: Police

Two people are in hospital after bullets rang out during the start of the Monday morning rush in downtown Toronto.

Officers responded to a shooting just after 6 a.m. on Charles Street, in the area of Yonge and Bloor streets.

A man and a woman were located at the scene suffering from gunshot wounds. Paramedics confirm the two victims, both in their 20s, have been taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators say it was a drive-by shooting aimed at people standing in a group on the sidewalk outside a cafe at 7 Charles Street West.

Witnesses in the area heard gunshots and saw one person collapse on the pavement. A second victim was found outside a cafe a little further down the street.

The suspects fled the area in a black SUV travelling westbound on Charles, before turning northbound on Bay Street. No vehicle make or further suspect descriptions have been made available.

Police say they received a call shortly before the shooting for reports of stunt driving on Yonge Street. Investigators believe the individuals who were involved in the stunt driving were the same people gathered on the street at the time of the shooting.

“There is a possibility that this incident has occurred as a result of a road rage,” said Toronto police Duty Insp. Michelle Olszevski, speaking to reporters near the shooting scene on Monday morning.

The investigation is ongoing. Police are asking anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting to contact Toronto Police 52 Division.

Mayor-elect Olivia Chow addressed the recent spate of violence in Toronto.

“It’s difficult when we see this kind of violence and I’ll do what I can to combat it. I’ve talked to some of the senior staff and we’ll have a strategy put in place.”

Charles is closed from Yonge to Balmuto Street for the investigation. The road closure is expected remain in place for several hours.

Motorists are being asked to avoid the area.