Man shot, critically injured in Toronto

A man is in critical condition after he was shot in Toronto’s St. James Town neighbourhood.

Officers were called to the Isabella and Sherbourne Streets area just before 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday for reports of a shooting.

One man was located at the back of a building on Huntley Street suffering from gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Neighbourhood residents say the area is a common late-night hangout spot and is often the scene of fights.

About an hour before the shooting, residents tell CityNews they heard shouting and arguing in the alleyway and then around midnight, the fighting ramped up again.

“The person was shouting to call the cops because I think he knew that there was something about to happen,” said one area resident who did not wish to be identified.

The shooting took place outside a building that provides transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness. Residents staying there tell CityNews that with a harm reduction site nearby, there are not enough supports in place to handle the needs of the neighbourhood.

“Because there’s a lot of drugs, this alley here is a kiosk for drugs,” explained the resident, who added that since he moved to the building four people have died in the alley due to overdose.

Since January there have been over 170 shootings in Toronto, up 67 per cent year-over-year, and 15 people have died with another 44 injured.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all considering what’s going on in the entire city itself,” another area resident tells CityNews. “I know police are overwhelmed and I think they’re trying their best but I don’t know. The government has to get involved some more.”

Police tell CityNews at least two suspects fled the area on foot, however, no description has been provided.