Youths facing more than 100 charges in string of cinema shootings

Three male youths are facing more than 100 charges in connection with multiple shootings targeting a GTA cinema and an incident at an elementary school over the summer.

York Regional Police (YRP) announced the arrests and subsequent charges on Thursday. The three youths were linked to four shootings at York Cinemas in Richmond Hill, including three reported incidents in May and an alleged shooting at the movie theatre in June.

Police said no injuries were reported in either case.

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The same group of suspects also allegedly fired gunshots at an elementary school in Richmond Hill on June 30. No injuries were reported.

Authorities linked three youths to the same shootings. They determined that the trio were also responsible for other crimes in Markham, Richmond Hill and Whitchurch-Stouffville, including threats of violence, in some cases with a firearm, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, assaults and thefts.

YRP noted that at the time of the incidents, two youths were out on separate release orders, and a third was found to be breaching the conditions of his Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) sentencing.

A 16-year-old from Whitchurch-Stouffville and two 15-year-olds from Oshawa and Toronto face several firearm-related charges and other similar offences. They were not identified by means of the YCJA.

“It is extremely concerning that three youths were out on bail and committing criminal offences in our communities,” said YRP Chief Jim MacSween. “Our bail system needs to address recidivist offenders who are one of the greatest threats to public safety.”

Constable Kevin Nebrija told CityNews the youths were identified through video evidence from the public.

“And since then, they were linked to numerous incidents throughout Markham, Richmond Hill, and Stouffville. Some of which were violent in nature.”

Nebrija added they couldn’t share any details about why certain theatres were targeted.

“I don’t have that information as to what’s playing, but whether what was playing at the theater is a factor, that would be part of the investigation,” said Nebrija. “We just were thankful that patrons weren’t injured during these incidents ’cause they were inside.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact YRP investigators.