Woman killed in east end shooting was innocent bystander hit by stray bullet: Police

Investigators say a woman killed in a daylight shooting in Leslieville on Friday afternoon was an innocent bystander struck by a stray bullet while out running errands.

Officers were called to the Queen Street East and Carlaw Avenue area at around 12:23 p.m. for reports of shots fired.

The victim, later identified as Karolina Huebner-Makurat, 44, was found in the area and transported to a trauma centre in an ambulance. She was later pronounced dead.

Huebner-Makurat, a married mother of two young children, was picking up lunch when she was struck by a fatal bullet.

Witnesses reported seeing three males involved in an altercation before shots rang out.

“I saw what looked like two guys at first getting into an altercation and then I saw something metal drop to the ground, it make a loud ‘thunk’. I wasn’t sure what it was but I didn’t want to take the risk so I bolted, ” this unidentified eyewitness told CityNews. “By the time I hit the alleyway, I heard three shots.”

“I didn’t think it was real at first,” said another woman who did not want to be identified. “It was very surreal and it didn’t really click in until I heard the shots. I pulled over and called 911, and even then I didn’t think what I saw was real.”

Police provided an update on Friday afternoon.

“Prior to the shooting officers have learned that there were three individuals involved in a verbal and physical altercation at Queen Street and Carlaw,” Duty Insp. Michelle Olszevski said.

Olszevski also said investigators aren’t yet certain how many people fired shots, or how many total shots were fired and that the investigation is ongoing.

Friends called the victim “a shining light in the lives of her two beautiful daughters, aged 7 and 4” and a GoFundMe page to help her family has raised over $160,000 as of Monday morning.

In a brief statement to CityNews, Karolina’s husband, Adrian, called on people to “reach out to friends, families or colleagues that you haven’t spoken to in a while” adding that “trauma like this brings people together, which is nice, but communication shouldn’t be dependent on hardship.”

Police say three suspects remain outstanding. They are described as:

• Suspect 1: Male, Black, 25-30 years old, tall, medium build with cornrows. He was wearing a white t-shirt with a black stripe from sleeve to sleeve, blue jeans and white shoes. He may have injuries to his head.
• Suspect 2: Male, Black, 18-25 years old, slim build, long hair in a ponytail. He was wearing a black baseball hat, a black North Face hoodie, dark coloured jeans and white shoes.
• Suspect 3: Male, Black, 18-25 years old, tall, thin build. He was wearing a grey hoodie, dark pants and dark shoes.

Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw addressed the senseless killing saying it’s “extremely concerning for all of us.”

In his statement, Chief Demkiw called for a “comprehensive, multi-sector plan,” to reduce gun violence.

With files from John Marchesan

Today’s tragic murder is extremely concerning for all us & I want to assure you we are working diligently to locate those responsible.Our commitment to community safety & wellbeing is unwavering, through a comprehensive, multi-sector plan, we will reduce gun violence @SafeCity_TO https://t.co/nxzbfJrNOV

— Chief Myron Demkiw (@TPSMyronDemkiw) July 7, 2023