Latest news with #MyronDemkiw
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Toronto marks National Day Against Gun Violence days after Lawrence Heights shooting
Social Sharing Toronto officials marked the National Day Against Gun Violence with a city hall event on Friday that came after a week in which a shooting left one person dead and five others injured. Mayor Olivia Chow told a gathering at the city's Indigenous Spirit Garden that the national day represents a call for peace and aims to bring awareness to the causes and effects of gun violence and the need for prevention and healing. Chow was joined by Deputy Mayor Amber Morley, Spadina-Fort York MPP Chris Glover and Don Valley North MP Maggie Chi. "The impact of gun violence is far-reaching. It impacts all of us," Chow said. On Tuesday evening, a shooting in Toronto's Lawrence Heights neighbourhood left Yahya Ahmed-Mohamoud, 31, of Toronto, dead. Police identified him in a news release on Friday. Ahmed-Mohamoud suffered life-threatening injuries in the shooting in the area of Ranee Avenue and Varna Drive and and was pronounced dead in hospital. Five others, three men, a woman and a youth, suffered non-life threatening injuries. Toronto police are seeking three suspects in the shooting. Chow said the shooting in Lawrence Heights has shaken the neighbourhood and all of Toronto. Chow, Deputy Mayor Mike Colle and Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw went to the area on Thursday to speak to community members, friends of the victims and neighbourhood activists about the gun violence. "There's a lot of grief, a lot of trauma, people who are afraid in their neighbourhood. They are scared for their kids. But one thing — because they showed up, they will not let fear dictate their lives. They believe that change is possible," Chow said. Chow said she and the police chief were urged to come back to the community to work together for peace. She said she was told: "We are disappointed. We are devastated. But we have not given up." Chow said she is committed to return to the community in a couple of weeks. 'We are here and I am feeling your pain' Shondelle Reis, whose son Joshua Bernard-Reis, 21, died due to gun violence, also spoke at the event. On Sept. 24, 2023, her son was on his way home after helping his sister move some furniture when he got out of his car near his Scarborough home and climbed up some stairs. He was hit by two bullets. He was rushed to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and later removed from life support. Reis said the tragedy tore her family apart. Now she organizes programs and projects for others to help them heal. "I am here this morning, not speaking for myself, but speaking on behalf of all mothers who have lost their children to gun violence. We are here and I am feeling your pain. I am standing in your silence and I am standing in your strength," Reis said. "Today, as I prepare to lay flowers on behalf of families that have lost their children to gun violence, I want to say, I remember you, honour you, and I carry you in my spirit," she said. "Joshua, they thought when they took you that they were going to erase your legacy and your name. But I am here to rewrite your story with ink that will never be erased." Reis said in an interview later her experience is something that no mother should go through. "Because when families have been impacted by gun violence, sometimes those families ... get left behind. They feel like they are the one that committed the crime because no one seems to pay them no mind," Reis said. Last June, the federal government proclaimed the first Friday of June as the National Day Against Gun Violence in Canada.
National Post
a day ago
- Business
- National Post
Mass shooting at Toronto pub linked to fiery tow truck turf war and a band of young guns for hire
A shocking mass shooting inside a Toronto pub in March, when three masked men shot wildly into the crowd during the establishment's grand opening, is linked to an ongoing tow truck turf war that included other shootings and a robbery, Toronto police said when announcing charges against 11 people. Article content Ten suspects have been arrested, and another is considered a wanted fugitive, after a fervid spree of gun violence by what investigators believe might be a shoot-em-up band for hire. Article content Article content 'The indiscriminate nature of this gun violence is hard to comprehend,' Toronto's Chief of Police Myron Demkiw said Wednesday. 'This kind of brazen violence, this disregard for human life, is completely unacceptable.' Article content Article content An intense investigation of the March 7 shooting at the Piper Arms pub near Scarborough Town Centre, one of Canada's largest shopping malls, led police to four other shootings and a robbery they say are linked to a violent turf war over tow trucking business that has been hitting the Greater Toronto Area with shootings and arsons for several years. Article content The pub shooting, however, which saw an organized assault on a mainstream establishment in a popular public area by three masked men — one armed with an assault-style rifle and two with handguns — took public concern and fury to a new level. Article content 'That night, three suspects entered the pub and opened fire inside. Nine people were shot, and other people were injured as a result. No one was killed, which is truly a miracle, but the effects of this mass shooting remain devastating for the victims and for the sense of safety in our communities,' said Demkiw. Article content Article content Supt. Paul MacIntyre, commander of Toronto police's Organized Crime Enforcement unit, said pain and damage from the attacks continues. Article content Article content 'This was a terrifying series of events for the victims and for our city — a group of individuals opening fire in public spaces, seemingly without hesitation,' he said. Article content 'We've stayed in contact with the victims and their families throughout. Many continue to recover from serious physical and emotional trauma. Some were shot multiple times. One person was shot six times and survived. The strength and resilience has been remarkable.'
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Toronto mayor says Lawrence Heights residents are ‘traumatized' following deadly shooting
Toronto police say the man killed in a 'brazen' Lawrence Heights shooting Tuesday night – that left five others injured – was in a wheelchair. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow visited Lawrence Heights Thursday morning following a deadly shooting in the neighbourhood and says some residents are 'traumatized.' 'There was a lot of grief, which I completely understand. Losing a loved one, or watching your neighbours being gunned down, traumatized by violence, scared, really scared for their kids,' Chow said alongside Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw after meeting with members of the community. 'It was a difficult conversation, but critically important,' she said. One person was killed and five others were injured Tuesday night when shots rang out at Ranee Avenue and Varna Drive, near Yorkdale mall, where police say armed suspects walked up to a group of people and opened fire. A 31-year-old man, who was in a wheelchair, suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital where he later died. He has not been identified by police. Five other victims, ranging in ages from 17 to 30 years old, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Coun. Mike Colle, who joined Chow and Demkiw in Lawrence Heights on Thursday, previously told CP24 that the deceased was left paralyzed from a separate 2018 shooting. Police say the Tuesday night shooting was targeted and that they're looking for three armed suspects, all of whom are described as males, with slim to average builds, wearing dark clothing and face coverings. Police would not say if the shooting was gang related, but note the investigation is ongoing.
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Mayor, police chief to visit Lawrence Heights neighbourhood after man in wheelchair shot dead
Toronto police say the man killed in a 'brazen' Lawrence Heights shooting Tuesday night – that left five others injured – was in a wheelchair. Toronto's mayor and chief of police will visit Lawrence Heights Thursday morning following a deadly shooting in the neighbourhood as a search continues for the suspects. Mayor Olivia Chow's office says she and Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw will meet with residents to discuss community safety after one person was killed and five others were injured Tuesday night. Chow previously said she was 'disturbed' by the incident at Ranee Avenue and Varna Drive, near Yorkdale mall, where police say armed suspects walked up to a group of people and opened fire. A 31-year-old man, who was in a wheelchair, suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital where he later died. He has not been identified by police. Five other victims, ranging in ages from 17 to 30-years-old, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Demkiw called the shooting 'deeply unsettling' at a news conference on Wednesday and underscored that he believes investigators will find the suspects. 'This kind of brazen violence, this disregard for human life, is completely unacceptable,' he said. Coun. Mike Colle, who will join Chow and Demkiw in Lawrence Heights on Thursday, told CP24 that the deceased was left paralyzed in a 2018 shooting. Police say the shooting was targeted and that they're looking for three armed suspects, all of whom are described as males, with slim to average builds, wearing dark clothing and face coverings. Police would not say if the shooting was gang related.
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Mayor Chow, Toronto police chief to visit Lawrence Heights following deadly shooting
Police officers work the scene of a shooting in the North York area of Toronto on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey Toronto's mayor and chief of police will visit Lawrence Heights Thursday morning following a deadly shooting in the neighbourhood as a search continues for the suspects. Mayor Olivia Chow's office says she and Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw will meet with residents to discuss community safety after one person was killed and five others were injured Tuesday night. Chow previously said she was 'disturbed' by the incident at Ranee Avenue and Varna Drive, near Yorkdale mall, where police say armed suspects walked up to a group of people and opened fire. A 31-year-old man, who was in a wheelchair, suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital where he later died. He has not been identified by police. Five other victims, ranging in ages from 17 to 30-years-old, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Demkiw called the shooting 'deeply unsettling' at a news conference on Wednesday and underscored that he believes investigators will find the suspects. 'This kind of brazen violence, this disregard for human life, is completely unacceptable,' he said. Coun. Mike Colle, who will join Chow and Demkiw in Lawrence Heights on Thursday, told CP24 that the deceased was left paralyzed in a 2018 shooting. Police say the shooting was targeted and that they're looking for three armed suspects, all of whom are described as males, with slim to average builds, wearing dark clothing and face coverings. Police would not say if the shooting was gang related.
