Three adults died in the lobby of an office space in north Toronto on Monday after police responded to reports of gunshots near a daycare and school. The incident occurred at around 3:30 p.m. in the area of Don Mills and Mallard roads. Police confirmed the deaths around 5 p.m. An all-boys Catholic elementary school was placed in lockdown, and a nearby daycare was cleared as a precaution.
Witnesses reported hearing an argument followed by gunshots in the building where the incident occurred. Shahrokh Biniyaz, a graphic designer with a studio in the area, heard the commotion and decided to leave the building through a back door. He called 911 and informed the police of what he had heard. The altercation involved two men and a woman, according to Biniyaz. The police presence in the area remained heavy, causing delays and closures.
Parents of children at the nearby daycare were visibly relieved when they were reunited with their kids just outside the police tape. The children were safe and uninformed about the situation unfolding. Sarah Ashfield, a daycare worker, placed the children in lockdown upon receiving instructions from a supervisor. The children remained safe and unaware of the events happening around them.
Toronto Transit Commission buses were brought in to shelter children from both the daycare and school as they awaited pick up from caregivers. By 6:30 p.m., all children from the daycare and school in the area had been safely reunited with their parents. The daycare was expected to reopen the following day pending approval from investigators. The incident left the community shaken and on edge as police continued their investigation into the shooting.
The shooting did not take place inside a school or daycare facility, but in the lobby of a business office in the area. The specific details of the incident, including the identity of the victims and the circumstances leading up to the shooting, were still under investigation. Police urged the public to avoid the area as they conducted their investigation. The incident has sparked fear and concern in the community as residents try to make sense of the tragedy that occurred in their neighborhood.
The incident in north Toronto serves as a grim reminder of the potential for violence in unexpected places. The swift response from law enforcement and the cooperation of the community in ensuring the safety of children and residents in the area demonstrate resilience in the face of tragedy. As the investigation progresses, more details may emerge about the events leading up to the shooting and the individuals involved. The impact of such incidents extends beyond the immediate aftermath, affecting the sense of security and safety in the community.
