Innocent Young Woman Killed When Bullets Fly At Leslieville Bar
Posted October 25, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A young woman was dead and four others were sent to hospital following a devastating shooting in Leslieville.
Police allege the violence began inside the Duke of York pub, located at 1225 Queen Street East, before moving into the street early Saturday morning.
“The suspect, who’s still being sought, was involved in an altercation with another patron,” outlined Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux at a press conference Saturday.
“During that altercation, the suspect drew a semi-automatic pistol and fired a number of times … directly at the front door of the Duke of York Tavern.”
A woman who had just stepped out to have a cigarette was innocently and tragically standing in the archway.
“She had nothing whatsoever to do with the altercation that was taking place,” Giroux explained.
But that didn’t matter. The woman, in her 20s, died at the scene, becoming Toronto’s 60th murder victim of 2008.
When police and emergency crews arrived at 12:50am, the ground was littered with broken glass and shell casings. They found two other women and two men nearby suffering what appeared to be gunshot injuries.
Police allege that one of the men was the intended target, and he’s cooperating with police. The other three were all innocent bystanders.
All four are expected to recover and as Giroux reports; in that sense things could’ve been much worse.
“A dozen or more patrons were standing in the same general location,” he explained.
Before the bullets flew, it was reportedly a typical Friday night verging into Saturday morning at the busy bar.
“It’s difficult to put into words how a coward like this would fire into a crowd,” Giroux continued.
“It’s another Jane Creba scenario, another Ephraim Brown … it’s unfortunately happening over and over again.”
In a horrible coincidence, the shooting comes just days after the start of the trial for the first suspect in Creba’s murder.
The shooting is also eerily reminiscent of the callous gunplay that claimed the life of 42-year-old John O’Keefe, who was hit with a stray bullet while walking up Yonge Street just south of Bloor in January.
Police still haven’t identified any of the victims in Saturday’s bloodshed but cops are hopeful the suspect will be arrested quickly, Giroux said at the press conference.
“This is a bar that’s frequented by regulars,” he explained. “My suspicions are that the shooter is a potential area resident or someone that frequents the bar.”
He praised the community and the patrons for their help, which has led police to a description of the suspect. Police are reportedly working on issuing a Canada-wide warrant.
The alleged shooter is described as
- male
- white
- 6′
- stocky
- short dark hair
- some facial hair
- dark clothing
- left heading westbound
“He’s armed, he’s extremely dangerous to members of the community and to all police officers,” Det. Giroux added.
Mayor David Miller also held a news conference Saturday afternoon, expressing outrage at the latest brazen shooting on his city’s streets.
“These tragedies are senseless,” he solemnly stated. “I’ve spoken to far too many families who’ve lost loved ones.”
If you saw anything, call police at 416-808-7400 or 416-808-5500, or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous 416-222-TIPS (8477). You can also text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
Ephraim Brown
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Jane Creba
The First Anniversary Of The Most Notorious Crime In Recent Toronto History Dawns
Forensic Expert Talks Bullets, Blood And Purses At Jane Creba Murder Trial
John O’Keefe
Innocent Murder Victim Identified As Father Who Was Just Passing By
Bystander Murder Victim Remembered As Great Dad And Wonderful Friend
