Toronto police are investigating an early-morning shooting homicide outside Yorkdale Mall in North York.
Officers were called to the Highway 401 and Dufferin Street area just before 6:15 a.m. on Thursday.
Police say a male victim in his 20s was found shot in the mall’s parking lot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detective Sajeev Nair said the shooting occurred outside Yorkdale Mall’s entrance number three in the parking lot, and the victim is believed to have been targeted.
There is no suspect description available at this time, and authorities state that there is no threat to public safety.
“We are going to actively pursue all avenues,” said Nair. “We are in the early stages of our investigation.”
A witness at the scene told 680 NewsRadio he heard between five and 10 gunshots.
“Like a drive by,” the man said. “… It’s crazy when you’re working that there are gunshots 15 metres from you.”
Yorkdale Mall remains open after deadly shooting
Witnesses told 680 NewsRadio that it’s believed the suspect or suspects fled in a vehicle in the shooting’s aftermath.
Police say this marks the city’s 21st homicide this year.
Yorkdale Mall issued a statement, saying, “Violence, and especially gun violence, has no place in our city.”
“Yorkdale’s enhanced security and surveillance systems operate 24/7 and allow us to respond quickly and assist emergency services, as we did today,” a spokesperson said. “The safety of our guests and employees is our highest priority, and we worked immediately to ensure there were no further threats to public safety. This incident occurred before the shopping centre’s operating hours.”
The North York shopping centre will remain open on Thursday.
“A portion of Yorkdale’s northeast parking lot remains closed as Toronto Police Service (TPS) conducts an active investigation. We continue to work closely with our police partners to support their efforts in any way we can.”
Some mall shoppers expressed safety concerns hours after the shooting homicide.
“People come here to shop and they expect a safe environment,” one man said. “I don’t know what to say.”
