Nearly 100 shots fired during shootout outside recording studio near Queen and Dufferin; 23 arrests

Toronto Police say 23 people have been arrested and 16 firearms seized following a shootout between two groups of people outside a recording studio in the city’s west end that led to close to 100 shots being fired.

Police said officers were in the area of Queen Street West and Sudbury Street near Dufferin Street for a bail compliance check just before 11:30 p.m. on Monday, when a stolen car pulled up to a recording studio and three suspects exited the vehicle, opening fire on a group of people gathered outside.

Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said there was an exchange of gunfire between the two groups of people during which time an unmarked police cruiser with plainclothes officers inside was struck by bullets. No officers were injured.

The three suspects attempted to flee in the stolen vehicle when police boxed them in. One suspect was arrested after a brief foot chase. Two others are still being sought but police have not released any suspect descriptions.

“Our plainclothes officers found themselves in the middle of the gunfight between these rival groups, their unmarked vehicle was struck multiple times, and we are very grateful that none of our police officers got hurt,” Police Chief Myron Demkiw said in his remarks to the Toronto Police Service Board on Tuesday.

Pogue said officers arrested several people inside the recording studio and others who tried to evade police.

“We believe it has all the signs of being a gang-related conflict but that is still being investigated,” she said.

Pogue said police seized firearms “likely discarded by the fleeing suspects,” as well as weapons inside the building, rooftop and hidden in garbage bins. The firearms included two assault-style rifles and multiple handguns.

“There were multiple guns both found inside the recording studio, on the persons that were arrested as well as outside the area.”

No injuries were reported, but one person was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Several bullets shattered the windows of a grocery store across the street where the shootout occurred, and staff at the store told CityNews an employee was closing up at the time and had to duck for cover.

“I want to stress how remarkable it is in such a volatile and dangerous situation nobody was injured, no bystanders, not the individuals involved, and not our officers,” Pogue said.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and further details on those arrested will be provided at a later time.

Chief Demkiw said this incident speaks to law reform the Toronto Police Service has requested in the past.

“Gunfire in our public spaces must be recognized for the harm it causes not just for those involved directly, but for bystanders and the public at large. I reiterate our call for law reform concerning shootings in public settings,” he told the police board.

“We have asked for law reform concerning circumstances where offenders choose to indiscriminately and brazenly use firearms in public places. Many police leaders have also spoken about the urgent need for justice reform, to tackle repeat offenders and return a sense of safety to our communities.”