Latest news with #PiperArms
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Toronto pub mass shooting linked to tow truck industry violence
Warning: Video contains footage some may find distressing | Toronto police say three suspects have been charged with attempted murder after a mass shooting injured 12 at the Piper Arms pub in March. Police have also linked the shooting to a rash of gun violence within the city's tow truck industry.
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Toronto Sun
WARMINGTON: Miracle no one was killed at bullet-riddled Piper Arms pub
Scarborough establishment sits empty since March mass shooting, but there may be plans to reopen Get the latest from Joe Warmington straight to your inbox The Piper Arms pub in Scarborough, Ont., sits vacant on Thursday, June 5, 2025, after a shooting damaged the historic building earlier this year. Photo by Joe Warmington / Toronto Sun You can still see the bullet holes in a door, the wall and bar through the locked front door of the popular Piper Arms pub in Scarborough. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Although it has been abandoned since the March 7 shooting of a nine people, with four more struck by flying debris, the lights on the draft beer tap handles are still lit up the way they were the night three gunmen entered and sprayed the place with bullets in a 1930s Chicago-style ambush. Police said the alleged plan at this historic old house-turned-pub was to see the murder of two dozen people. If they had been successful, it would have been right there with the Nova Scotia massacre that saw 22 people killed and three others injured in the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history. An inch here, an inch there and this could have been a catastrophe heard around the world. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It was a miracle no one was killed at the Piper Arms. But will the popular pub ever serve suds again? Scarborough Councillor Michael Thompson says, yes, they will. 'The owners are planning to reopen once their insurance company gives them the green light to start the renovation,' Thompson told the Toronto Sun on Thursday. 'The owners are definitely planning to reopen and I'm 100% in support of the reopening.' It's a beautiful old stone house that was home of the Piper Arms pub until evil gunmen came in March 7 and riddled the place in a hail of bullets — hitting 9 and 4 others with debris. The place has been closed since. But the bar lights are still on and bullet holes still on wall — Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) June 5, 2025 Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The group that owns Piper Arms has not commented so far. But if they can make a comeback, it will certainly be welcomed. There's no way such heinous violence should win. Chief Myron Demkiw and his Toronto Police investigative team did an outstanding job on the case as they tracked down 10 suspects — including three boys — who have been charged with crimes and retrieved four guns. Some 200 charges have been laid and this includes 24 counts of attempted murder. As Toronto Sun crime reporter Chris Doucette reported Thursday, officers involved with Project Nighthawk — focused on the GTA's tow-truck war – also said they are searching for one more suspect in this disturbing shooting of innocent people at this historic stone house at 520 Progress Ave., which was built in 1841 by the Scott family on what was once farmland. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A historic plaque at the Piper Arms pub in Scarborough, Ont., on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The building has been vacant since a shooting damaged it earlier this year. Photo by Joe Warmington / Toronto Sun Torontonians have heard about this shooting, but when police released a 22-second security video Wednesday of what transpired inside the pub, it was shocking to see. Three gunmen charge into the establishment with guns ablaze like something out of Al Capone's reign of terror in Chicago. While the weapons were not Tommy guns, the video shows what looks like semi-automatic, assault-style rifles firing bullets everywhere. 'All people could do was duck,' said Thompson. 'It was horrifying.' Bullet holes puncture a door near the bar at the Piper Arms pub in Scarborough, Ont., on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The building has been vacant since a shooting damaged it earlier this year. Photo by Joe Warmington / Toronto Sun The councillor has stayed in touch with many of the victims, who he said like the pub and are still struggling physically and emotionally. 'Some of them are still in need of surgeries,' said Thompson. 'One of the victims was shot six times and is still struggling. One woman was shot in the arm.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Most of the victims are 'unable to work and pay their bills and mortgages,' said Thompson. 'We are trying to find ways to help them.' He added 'none of these people had anything to do with the reason for the shooting and yet are living with the fallout from it.' RELATED VIDEO Police are still trying to work out a motive and while the other incidents connected to Project Nighthawk were linked to the tow-truck industry, the Piper Arms shooting has not been. From speaking to some of the victims, Thompson said they were 'just in the wrong place at the wrong time.' Two of the people who were badly hurt are 'DJs who were only there to meet the manager to check out to see if it would be a good place to hold a summer party,' he said. 'They were shot as soon as they walked in there.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. On the night of the shooting, Doucette and photographer Jack Boland said it was one of the most chaotic scenes they have witnessed over decades of covering Toronto crime. There have been other disturbing shootings like this one in Toronto, but throw in the setting and that the gunmen seemed not to care who they hit, it's a sign that we're in dangerous times. 'Whatever their definition, the thugs are intent on terrifying their targets and have no regard for the lives of innocent bystanders,' said Thompson, urging the public to help police with the case. This case can't be glossed over as just another gangland shooting. It needs to be a wakeup call that criminals in Toronto are not only packing heat, but will shoot at will. When they clean the place up, it might be a good idea to leave some of those bullet holes as a reminder of just how precious life is and how there are people prepared to take it away. A visit to this bullet-riddled pub shows just how close Toronto came to another two dozen people being murdered in cold blood. Read More World Olympics Toronto & GTA Columnists Music
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.'
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
‘They're all tow-truck related': 11 charged in string of violence including mass shooting at Scarborough's Piper Arms pub
Three months after one of the worst mass shootings in this city's history, a sweeping investigation by Toronto police has resulted in more than 200 combined charges against 11 people for a string of violence this spring related to the 'tow truck turf wars.' The incidents, spanning from March 1 to May 26, include an additional four shootings — two at towing lots in the city — and an attempted robbery. A briefing at Toronto police headquarters Wednesday marked the first update provided by investigators since the mass shooting at Piper Arms pub in Scarborough — and the first time investigators have been willing to publicly link the shooting in any way to the GTA's troubled towing industry. Just after 10:30 p.m. on March 7, three gunmen opened fire at the grand opening of the pub, located on Progress Avenue, just across the street from the Scarborough Town Centre shopping mall. Security footage played at Wednesday's news conference showed three men charge inside the restaurant before firing several rounds from an automatic rifle into the bar. Police released video surveillance from inside Scarborough's Piper Arms pub, where a mass shooting took place on March 7. Twelve people were injured; nine by gunfire and the others by flying debris. One person, police said, was shot six times. 'The indiscriminate nature of this gun violence is hard to comprehend,' Chief Myron Demkiw told reporters. 'No one was killed, which was a miracle.' The subsequent investigation, dubbed 'Project Night Hawk,' uncovered a 'network of individuals who are now alleged to be responsible for the mass shooting at the pub, as well as several other violent shootings.' Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw updates the media on the investigation into the mass shooting at the Piper Arms Pub on March 7. Investigators have previously stopped short of connecting the Piper Arms shooting to any ongoing violence in the towing industry, which includes a suspected arson and more than a dozen shootings this year alone. But speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Supt. Paul MacIntyre described all seven incidents as tow truck-related, if only through the overlap in individuals accused. 'The group of people that we identified as being part of the tow truck shootings have also done the pub shooting,' MacIntrye said. 'Whether that was a one-off (and) the reasons that they did it, we're still investigating that.' '(They are all) part of the tow truck turf wars that were going on,' he continued, adding that he hopes the arrests will lessen the number of shootings in the city. The first incident, on March 1, saw one person shot and injured at a commercial plaza near Markham Road and Eglinton Avenue . Days later, on March 4, three more people were shot in separate incidents; one of which played out at a towing lot in the Stockyards, and the second later that night at a gas station, where a victim was washing his vehicle when the gunmen got out of their vehicle and opened fire. The three victims' injuries were not life-threatening. They discharged firearms at a second victim, who was struck and sustained non-threatening injuries. The suspects drove the stolen vehicle to a gas station near Lawrence Avenue East and Warden Avenue. On March 6, the day before the Piper Arms shooting, a vehicle was shot at while leaving a tow lot near the West Mall and the Queensway in Etobicoke. And on April 11, four males, operating a stolen vehicle, allegedly attempted to enter a bank near McLaughlin Road in Mississauga. The vehicle was later stopped by police and the suspects fled on foot. Two were arrested the same day, marking the first of the arrests announced Wednesday. In the last incident, on May 26, police arrested two individuals after stopping a stolen vehicle near Finch Avenue West and Jane Street. Police did not detail when the six remaining accused were arrested. A total of 203 charges have been laid, including 24 counts of attempted murder. Ten of the accused have been arrested, and one remains at-large. Police have arrested Prayer Osakpemwehuan, 21; Robert Gidisu, 21; Sheldon Gordon, 19; Juevar Griffith, 19; Kayjean Morrison, 22; Nicoy Brooks, 19; and Joshua Clarke-Richards, 19. Three male youths: two 17-year-olds and a 15-year-old whose identities are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, have also been charged. Police are still looking for 20-year-old Daykwon Joseph. The accused do not fit police's definition of a 'street gang,' said MacIntyre, adding they were likely hired to carry out the acts. Superintendent Paul MacIntyre updates the media on the investigation into the mass shooting at the Piper Arms Pub on March 7. 'This is really just a bunch of guys,' MacIntyre said. 'They're just friends, if you will. They're associates. They are out there doing these shootings, but they're definitely not a gang.' When asked about the March 8 arrests of Gokilan Balamurale, nephew of the Piper Arms franchise owner, and co-accused Brannan Balasegar, who were charged with conspiring to commit first-degree murder at three businesses east of Toronto the day after the Piper Arms shooting, MacIntyre declined to comment. Balamurale, 25, also shares ties to the towing industry, recently working as a tow dispatcher in Markham, according to two drivers who spoke to the Star on the condition of anonymity, citing fear for their safety. 'That's separate from this investigation right now,' MacIntyre said. The arrests came after three masked gunmen opened fire on a crowd at the grand opening of the Police said the Project Night Hawk investigation is continuing. With files fro m Raju Mudhar and Elissa Mendes
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Toronto Star
‘They're all tow-truck related': 11 charged in string of violence including mass shooting at Scarborough's Piper Arms pub
Three months after one of the worst mass shootings in this city's history, a sweeping investigation by Toronto police has resulted in more than 200 combined charges against 11 people for a string of violence this spring related to the 'tow truck turf wars.' The incidents, spanning from March 1 to May 26, include an additional four shootings — two at towing lots in the city — and an attempted robbery. A briefing at Toronto police headquarters Wednesday marked the first update provided by investigators since the mass shooting at Piper Arms pub in Scarborough — and the first time investigators have been willing to publicly link the shooting in any way to the GTA's troubled towing industry. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Just after 10:30 p.m. on March 7, three gunmen opened fire at the grand opening of the pub, located on Progress Avenue, just across the street from the Scarborough Town Centre shopping mall. Security footage played at Wednesday's news conference showed three men charge inside the restaurant before firing several rounds from an automatic rifle into the bar. Police released video surveillance from inside Scarborough's Piper Arms pub, where a mass shooting took place on March 7. Twelve people were injured; nine by gunfire and the others by flying debris. One person, police said, was shot six times. 'The indiscriminate nature of this gun violence is hard to comprehend,' Chief Myron Demkiw told reporters. 'No one was killed, which was a miracle.' The subsequent investigation, dubbed 'Project Night Hawk,' uncovered a 'network of individuals who are now alleged to be responsible for the mass shooting at the pub, as well as several other violent shootings.' Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw updates the media on the investigation into the mass shooting at the Piper Arms Pub on March 7. Nick Lachance Toronto Star Investigators have previously stopped short of connecting the Piper Arms shooting to any ongoing violence in the towing industry, which includes a suspected arson and more than a dozen shootings this year alone. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW But speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Supt. Paul MacIntyre described all seven incidents as tow truck-related, if only through the overlap in individuals accused. 'The group of people that we identified as being part of the tow truck shootings have also done the pub shooting,' MacIntrye said. 'Whether that was a one-off (and) the reasons that they did it, we're still investigating that.' '(They are all) part of the tow truck turf wars that were going on,' he continued, adding that he hopes the arrests will lessen the number of shootings in the city. The first incident, on March 1, saw one person shot and injured at a commercial plaza near Markham Road and Eglinton Avenue. Days later, on March 4, three more people were shot in separate incidents; one of which played out at a towing lot in the Stockyards, and the second later that night at a gas station, where a victim was washing his vehicle when the gunmen got out of their vehicle and opened fire. The three victims' injuries were not life-threatening. They discharged firearms at a second victim, who was struck and sustained non-threatening injuries. The suspects drove the stolen vehicle to a gas station near Lawrence Avenue East and Warden Avenue. On March 6, the day before the Piper Arms shooting, a vehicle was shot at while leaving a tow lot near the West Mall and the Queensway in Etobicoke. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW And on April 11, four males, operating a stolen vehicle, allegedly attempted to enter a bank near McLaughlin Road in Mississauga. The vehicle was later stopped by police and the suspects fled on foot. Two were arrested the same day, marking the first arrests of the 11 announced Wednesday. In the last incident, on May 26, police arrested two individuals after stopping a stolen vehicle near Finch Avenue West and Jane Street. Police did not detail when the six remaining accused were arrested. A total of 203 charges have been laid, including 24 counts of attempted murder. Ten of the accused have been arrested, and one remains at-large. Police have arrested Prayer Osakpemwehuan, 21; Robert Gidisu, 21; Sheldon Gordon, 19; Juevar Griffith, 19; Kayjean Morrison, 22; Nicoy Brooks, 19; and Joshua Clarke-Richards, 19. Three male youths: two 17-year-olds and a 15-year-old whose identities are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, have also been charged. Police are still looking for 20-year-old Daykwon Joseph. The accused do not fit police's definition of a 'street gang,' said MacIntyre, adding they were likely hired to carry out the acts. Superintendent Paul MacIntyre updates the media on the investigation into the mass shooting at the Piper Arms Pub on March 7. Nick Lachance Toronto Star 'This is really just a bunch of guys,' MacIntyre said. 'They're just friends, if you will. They're associates. They are out there doing these shootings, but they're definitely not a gang.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Police mum on any connections to alleged murder plots When asked about the March 8 arrests of Gokilan Balamurale, nephew of the Piper Arms franchise owner, and co-accused Brannan Balasegar, who were charged with conspiring to commit first-degree murder at three businesses east of Toronto the day after the Piper Arms shooting, MacIntyre declined to comment. Balamurale, 25, also shares ties to the towing industry, recently working as a tow dispatcher in Markham, according to two drivers who spoke to the Star on the condition of anonymity, citing fear for their safety. 'That's separate from this investigation right now,' MacIntyre said. Gta Two charged in alleged murder plot at Pickering pub hours after Scarborough Piper Arms shooting The arrests came after three masked gunmen opened fire on a crowd at the grand opening of the Police said the Project Night Hawk investigation is continuing. With files fro m Raju Mudhar and Elissa Mendes
