16-year-old boy killed in daytime east-end Toronto shooting

A 16-year-old boy is dead in what Toronto police officers say was a “brazen” daytime shooting in the city’s east end Saturday afternoon.

Police said an altercation happened between the teen and at least two other suspects in the parking lot of Glendower Plaza, near Birchmount Road and Glendower Circuit south of Finch Avenue East, just before 1:50 p.m.

Investigators said the teen was found suffering from gunshot wounds. It’s unclear if he made his way to the hospital or if someone else brought him there.

The boy was then taken to another hospital in life-threatening condition where he was later pronounced dead. He was later identified as Toronto resident Kayelin Rider-Downey.

“It’s a brazen event. It’s a daylight shooting in the city of Toronto,” Det. Sgt. Aaron Akeson said.

“A shooting in any neighbourhood is a reason for concern and that’s why the Toronto Police Service is responding in this fashion and putting a significant amount of resources into investigating this incident.”

Investigators say they are looking for two male suspects. One was last seen wearing a red hat, a red shirt and tan-coloured shorts. The second suspect was last seen wearing a black hoodie.

They said one of the suspects left in a white SUV while the other fled the scene on foot.

“It’s very sad. Another youth has been gunned down,” community pastor Delroy Sherman said.

“Innocent lives are being taken, and what’s happening it has got to stop.”

Sherman said he’s tired of hearing about politicians coming together and talking and wants to see more action.

“I’m sick and tired of condolences after condolences. The times I have to go to mothers and tell them ‘my condolences,’ I’m sick of that now. Something has to be done,” he said.

“Show me that you care by doing something about the gun laws – that’s the key thing, the gun laws. If we don’t have changes then we’re going to have the wild west in our city. We have got to stop it.”

News Release – Homicide #37/2024, Glendower Circuit and Birchmount Road areahttps://t.co/BUFcJcSPp9 pic.twitter.com/pGL4N2Pmrv

— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) June 16, 2024