Male student dies after shooting inside Scarborough’s David and Mary Thomson C.I.

A male student has died in what police believe to be a targeted shooting at a high school in Scarborough.

Toronto police were called to David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute, near Lawrence Avenue East and Midland Avenue, just after 3 p.m. Monday for reports of a shooting.

Const. Ed Parks says the student — an 18-year-old male in Grade 12 — has died. Witnesses on the scene tell CityNews that the victim appeared to be shot in the head.

“We can say now this is being investigated as a homicide case,” Parks said.

Parks says investigators are searching for a suspect that is believed to have fled after the shooting. Police have not confirmed if the suspect was also a student at the school and are urging any witnesses with information or dashcam footage to contact them.

David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute was placed on lockdown as a result.

A student that attends the Scarborough high school describes a chaotic setting, saying teachers and staff were frantically instructing people to evacuate the building after shots were fired.

“My main thought [at the time] was I can’t believe this is happening,” Grade 12 student Rihanna Seecharan said. “It was pretty scary. I didn’t want anybody to get hurt.”

Mayor John Tory issued a statement, calling the fatal school shooting “tragic and unacceptable.”

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim and the students and staff at David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute,” the mayor wrote.

“I want to express my profound sadness that the lives of youth in our city are being taken at the hands of gun violence. I have spoken to police chief [James] Ramer and the investigation is currently underway. Chief Ramer has made it clear that no stone will be left unturned in finding out why this happened and to bring those responsible to justice.

“I urge anyone with information to come forward,” Tory said.

Any act of violence which takes place in a school is both tragic and unacceptable. My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim and the students and staff at David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute. pic.twitter.com/AtW67GmMUE

— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 14, 2022

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) says officials are aware of the shooting and are cooperating with the homicide unit.

A TDSB spokesperson says the school building will be closed on Tuesday as the investigation continues. Students are being invited to participate in remote learning if they choose and grief counsellors will be available at the nearby McGregor Park Community Centre beginning at 9 a.m.

In 2019, David and Mary Thomson C.I. was placed in lockdown after a double-stabbing that saw two people injured in an altercation on school grounds. Both victims survived.

With files from Patricia D’Cunha of CityNews