‘Very troubling’: Two men dead in shooting in Riverdale, suspects wanted

Authorities are searching for multiple suspects after two men died in a late-night double shooting in Toronto’s Riverdale neighbourhood.

Toronto police were called to Bain Avenue and Logan Avenue just after 11 p.m. on Tuesday for reports of gunshots in the area.

Two males were located with gunshot wounds. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second man was transported to a hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Toronto police said the two victims are in their late teens or early 20s.

“We understand how unsettling these types of incidents can be in neighbourhoods,” said Sgt. Alan Bartlett.

Authorities believe the shooting was targeted. Both male victims were reportedly inside a vehicle when gunshots were fired, but that is unconfirmed.

“I get the sense from the firearms evidence here that the shots appear to be clustered, which might suggest a targeting,” said Sgt. Bartlett. “I don’t believe this was a random act at this point, but it’s very early for me to speculate and to use the word target or ambush, I am hesitant to do so.”

Police say they are looking for two male suspects between five foot five and five foot eight inches. They were last seen wearing dark clothing and running towards Withrow Park.

The homicide unit has taken over the investigation. In the coming days, a heavier police presence is expected in the area.

“I’m asking anyone in the area who may have camera footage or home surveillance footage, or perhaps someone who may have heard something or seen something, please contact [police].”

Residents react to double shooting in Riverdale

Some locals spoke out the day after the double fatal shooting, with one man saying he heard yelling and gunshots.

“It was very loud, and multiple in a row,” said Levi Goertz. “Definitely sounded like gunshots.”

“This is not something you’d expect in a residential neighbourhood,” said Tamarisk Saunders-Davres. “I hope this is an isolated incident. I don’t want to let crimes like this change how I move about the world and live in my neighbourhood. I believe we’re stronger as a community and stronger together.”

This is the second shooting in Riverdale in just under a month, after three boys were injured on Friday, March 21.

Officers were called to the Jones Avenue and Strathcona Avenue area just before 10:45 p.m. that night.

Multiple male youths were found injured. One victim needed urgent care and was transported to a hospital via an emergency run. The second victim was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a third victim also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspects were seen fleeing the area in a vehicle.

Sgt. Bartlett said authorities understand why residents are on edge following the recent acts of violence in the neighbourhood.

“I think residents of this area and in the City of Toronto are right to be concerned about gun violence,” the sergeant said. “The Toronto Police Service are doing everything it can to address that. But it’s very troubling.”

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