Shooting aftermath 'like a movie scene,' witness says
2 dead, 3 injured after gunfire erupts early Sunday near Chinatown restaurants
Two people are dead and three others are in hospital after gunfire broke out in downtown Toronto early Sundayin an often crowded part of the city known for its late-night bars and restaurants.
Police were called tothe area ofSpadinaAvenue and Nassau Street in the heart of the city's Chinatown at 3:18 a.m. by reports of a shooting.
An unknown assailant hadfired on a group of men, wounding five, according to police, though initial reports said six people had been shot.
One man was pronounced dead at the scene andanother died in hospital some five hours later.
It is not clear where the shootings took place but police soon taped off the sidewalk outside three nearby restaurants:the New Ho King, its next-door neighbour Thai Country Kitchen and Sizzler Kabab,across the street.
One witness told reportershe saw a paramedic treating a wounded man on the floor of Sizzler Kabab.
The victim "had blood all over his stomach area," said ZaighamAli. "The paramedics were helping him out it was like a movie scene."
Area resident Nick Counter said hewas going to bed when he heard what he thought were firecrackers. He says the neighbourhood is noisy but safe.
"Idon't think this represents what goes on here," he said.
"It's scary to think someone who might not be responsible, or a bystander, could have been hurt."
The deaths are the city's eight and ninth homicides of the year.
The shooting appears to have been touched off by "some type of altercation," ahomicide detective said at a news conference.
"It's very, very early in the investigation,"Det.Sgt. MikeCarbonetold reporters.
He said police are reviewing surveillance video of the area and areexploringthe possibility that the shooting could be gang-related.
Police have not issued a description of suspects.
"We're still working through that," Carbone said.
The identities of the slain victims have not been released, pending notification of their families.
Spadina was closed until Sunday afternoon from College to Dundas streets as police investigated and spoke to witnesses. Police expanded the crime scene several times early Sunday morning.
Carbonenoted there were a numberof people in the area at the time of the incident and would like any witnesses to come forward particularly those with video.
Anyone with information is asked to call authorities at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
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