TORONTO – Police say one of three people injured in a shooting in downtown Toronto has died.

Gunfire erupted in the heart of the city’s entertainment district Saturday evening, sending people on the street running for cover.

Police tweeted that one of the wounded was taken to hospital without vital signs and was later pronounced dead.

They described the injuries suffered by the other two as “very serious.”

They added that two suspects were seen running from the area, and may have fled in a black SUV or white car.

Toronto has seen a surge in gun violence this year which Mayor John Tory and Police Chief Mark Saunders have blamed primarily on gang activity. </s> One person is dead and 13 people are injured after a gunman opened fire in the middle of the street late Sunday in Toronto. The shooter is also dead, gunned down following the shooting spree, according to Toronto police.Toronto police said one innocent bystander, a "young lady," was killed in the exchange of gunfire. Another girl, of 8 or 9 years old, is in critical condition.The other 12 people are being treated at the hospital -- all victims were struck by gunfire.The shooting took place near Danforth Street and Logan Avenue, which is in the city's Greektown neighborhood, often referred to as The Danforth.Police confirmed they responded quickly and engaged in a shootout with the suspect, who used a handgun.The incident began at about 10 p.m., police said."I'm not calling it random," said Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders. "I don't know why he did what he did; he won't be able to tell us because he is deceased."It's unclear how many shots were fired, but a person in the neighborhood posted a video on Twitter in which at least five shots can be heard. The user tweeted, "So scary!! The gun violence in Toronto is crazy."Toronto police said they have no motive for the shooting, and asked any eyewitnesses to come forward or anyone with video to provide it to police.When asked about the suspect, Saunders said they knew "nothing at this point in time."Saunders said he could not confirm whether the shooting was an incident of terrorism, but police were investigating all possibilities."I'm keeping everything open, I'm looking at every possible motive," he said. "I certainly don't want to speculate, too."Toronto's mayor also spoke at a press conference overnight, reaffirming previous comments about Toronto's problems with gun violence."We still live in a great city, but we have to be ever more vigilant about these kind of things," Mayor John Tory said. </s> Four people have been injured following a shooting in downtown Toronto Sunday evening, police say.

The shots rang out at Augusta Avenue and College Street in the city's Kensington Market neighbourhood around 10:30 p.m. ET

A man in his 20s is in serious, possibly life-threatening condition and was taken to a trauma centre.

Another man, also in his 20s, was taken to a local hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Two others were taken to hospital with injuries paramedics say are not serious.

Police say there were possibly four assailants running away.

Traffic is being diverted from the area.

The shooting comes just over a day after two local rappers were killed after being gunned down on a busy Toronto street. </s> Toronto police say a young, up-and-coming rap artist was one of two people killed in a brazen daylight shooting in the city's bustling entertainment district.

Police say Jahvante Smart, 21, also known as Smoke Dawg, and Ernest Modekwe, 28, both of Toronto, succumbed to their injuries from the Saturday night incident.

The Toronto-born Smart was part of the Halal Gang, a group of four Toronto rappers. Shortly after the shooting, friends, artists and fans of Smart posted their condolences on social media.

Toronto rapper Drake posted a photo of he and Smart performing together with the caption, "Rest up Smoke."

The third victim of Saturday's shooting, a woman, is expected to recover.

Speaking at a Canada Day event Sunday morning, Toronto Mayor John Tory tied the shooting to gang violence, although a police spokesman would not go that far.

People with ties to gangs are "the only ones that pose a threat" to the city, Tory said, while renewing his call for systemic action to keep people accused of gun crimes off the streets.

"Some of these people who are out on bail ... have been doing this repeatedly," said Tory.

"We can't have people getting out on bail 20 minutes after they're arrested for using a gun."

Tory said he's spoken with the city's police chief, and he knows officers are working hard to "round these people up and get them off the street."

Police said shots rang out in front of a downtown nightclub near the corner of Queen Street West and Spadina Avenue on Saturday evening, sending people fleeing in all directions.

They're appealing to anyone in the area who heard or saw anything out of the ordinary to contact police, as well as anyone who may have footage from the scene.

But Toronto police Const. David Hopkinson said he couldn't confirm the shooting was linked to organized crime.

According to police statistics for 2018, there were 199 shootings in the city as of June 25, and 22 people killed by gun violence. There were 170 shootings by the same time last year, the statistics show, resulting in 16 deaths.

The latest violence -- on a busy downtown street in broad daylight -- has some Torontonians feeling unsafe in the city.

Carrie Ma, 18, was having a barbecue on the rooftop of a residential building near Saturday's incident. She happened to be taking a video of her friends as the gunshots were fired, and the sound is captured on the clip.

"Most of us have never heard gunshots before so we thought it was fireworks going off a day early for Canada Day, but then we began to hear sirens coming towards us," said Ma, who is originally from nearby Richmond Hill, Ont.

"I'm about to enter university and I will be living downtown, so it's a little scary," said Ma, who will soon begin studying at OCAD University.

"It's making me doubt whether I should live downtown -- although I know it could happen anywhere." </s> A gunman opened fire on the streets of Toronto, killing two people -- a 10-year-old girl and 18-year-old girl -- wounding 13 others and sparking an outpouring of grief for the Canadian city.The suspected gunman, just now identified as 29-year-old Faisal Hussain, is also dead, and much about the Sunday night shooting, including the motive, remains unknown.The 18-year-old victim has now been identified as Reese Fallon, Toronto police said Monday evening."It's way too early to rule out anything," Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders said.The 13 injured, ranging in ages from 10 to 59, suffered minor to "life-changing" injuries, officials said Monday afternoon.The shooting unfolded quickly at about 10 p.m. near Danforth Street and Logan Avenue, which is in the city's Greektown neighborhood, often referred to as The Danforth.There was an exchange of gunfire between police and the suspect, who was armed with a handgun, authorities said. The suspect fled on foot and was found dead nearby.A weapon has been recovered in the wake of what police called a "disturbing incident."The family of the man identified as the gunman released a statement saying Hussain suffered from mental health problems."We are at a terrible loss for words but we must speak out to express our deepest condolences to the families who are now suffering on account of our son's horrific actions. We are utterly devastated by the incomprehensible news that our son was responsible for the senseless violence and loss of life that took place on the Danforth. Our son had severe mental health challenges, struggling with psychosis and depression his entire life. The interventions of professionals was unsuccessful. Medications and therapy were unable to treat him. While we did our best to seek help for him throughout his life of struggle and pain, we could never imagine that this would be his devastating and destructive end. Our hearts are in pieces for the victims and for our city as we all come to grips with this terrible tragedy. We will mourn those who were lost for the rest of our lives," the statement read.The shooting has left Toronto in mourning."My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible tragedy on the Danforth last night in Toronto, and may the injured make a full recovery," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted Monday morning. "The people of Toronto are strong, resilient and brave - and we'll be there to support you through this difficult time."Choking back tears, Toronto Councillor Mary Fragedakis said to the city council Monday morning, "This is so heartbreaking. The victims and their loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot imagine what they are going through, the pain, the loss."The area has always part of her home and her life, she said."As we mourn, cherishing and caring for those in our lives may help with the pain," she said, overcome with emotion.Toronto Mayor John Tory, speaking at the overnight news conference, acknowledged the Canadian city's problems with gun violence."We still live in a great city," he said, "but we have to be ever more vigilant about this kind of things." </s> Toronto police are investigating yet another shooting in the city involving multiple victims.

Police tweeted late Sunday night that four people were injured after shots were fired just west of the downtown core in the city's Kensington Market area.

They described one victim's injuries as "very serious," and the others as non-life-threatening.

They also said that as many as four possible suspects were spotted running from the scene. </s> Civilians are escorted from the scene of a shooting in Toronto on Sunday.

A second shooting victim died Monday following a gunman's rampage in a Toronto neighborhood that left another dozen people wounded and chaos on a thoroughfare crowded with bars and restaurants.

The 29-year-old suspect died after an exchange of gunfire with responding police officers a few blocks from the carnage, authorities said.

Police Chief Mark Saunders said the shooting, in the Greektown neighborhood, was not random and that he did not rule out terrorism as a motive. He said the suspect used a handgun.

Saunders said officers exchanged gunfire but it wasn't clear how the man died, and that no police officers were injured, Canadian broadcaster CBC reported.

“I heard ‘pop, pop’ and then I turned because I thought it was fireworks … and then the mother of a friend of mine goes, ‘They’re shooting at us — run inside!’” Stavy Karnouskou, who was standing outside a bar with friends when the gunfire began, told the Toronto Star.

A video from one witness shows a man dressed in black walking quickly and firing three shots from the sidewalk into at least one shop or restaurant. Police were seeking video and photos of the attack from bystanders and businesses

John Tulloch said he and his brother had just gotten out of their car when he heard about 20 to 30 gunshots.

“We just ran. We saw people starting to run so we just ran,” he said.

Toronto Councillor Paula Fletcher told the CP24 TV station she heard that the gunman was emotionally disturbed.

“It’s not gang related. It looks like someone who is very disturbed,” Fletcher said.

“We were so use to living in a city where these things didn’t happen,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said. “But there are things that happen nowadays and they are just unspeakable.”

Toronto police have deployed dozens of additional officers to deal with a recent spike in gun violence in the city. Tory said the city has a gun problem.

“Guns are too readily available to too many people,” Tory said. </s> TORONTO — Police in Toronto say three people were injured in a shooting in the city's downtown Saturday evening.

It happened near the corner of Queen and Peter streets, where police say multiple shots were heard and several people ran from the scene.

Police tweeted Saturday night that the injuries suffered were "very serious," and in at least one case life-threatening.

They say two suspects were seen running away from the area, and they may have fled in a black SUV or white car. </s> Civilians are escorted from the scene of a shooting in Toronto on Sunday.

A second shooting victim died Monday following a gunman's rampage in a Toronto neighborhood that left another dozen people wounded and chaos on a thoroughfare crowded with bars and restaurants.

The 29-year-old suspect died after an exchange of gunfire with responding police officers a few blocks from Sunday's carnage, authorities said.

Police Chief Mark Saunders said the shooting, in the Greektown neighborhood, was not random and he did not rule out terrorism as a motive. He said the suspect used a handgun.

Saunders said officers exchanged gunfire but it wasn't clear how the man died, and that no police officers were injured, Canadian broadcaster CBC reported.

“I heard ‘pop, pop’ and then I turned because I thought it was fireworks … and then the mother of a friend of mine goes, ‘They’re shooting at us — run inside!’” Stavy Karnouskou, who was standing outside a bar with friends when the gunfire began, told the Toronto Star.

More: After Toronto van attack, Canadians mourn and ask simple question: Why?

More: 1 year after carnage on London bridge, survivors pay tribute

The attack in Canada’s largest city came three months after a 25-year-old man in a rented Ryder truck mowed down pedestrians along iconic Yonge Street, killing 10 and injuring 15.

“We were so use to living in a city where these things didn’t happen,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said. “But there are things that happen nowadays and they are just unspeakable.”

A video from one witness of Sunday's shooting spree shows a man dressed in black walking quickly and firing three shots from the sidewalk into at least one shop or restaurant. Police were seeking video and photos of the attack from bystanders and businesses

John Tulloch said he and his brother had just gotten out of their car when he heard about 20 to 30 gunshots.

“We just ran. We saw people starting to run so we just ran,” he said.

Toronto Councillor Paula Fletcher told the CP24 TV station she heard that the gunman was emotionally disturbed.

“It’s not gang related. It looks like someone who is very disturbed,” Fletcher said.

Toronto police have deployed dozens of additional officers to deal with a recent spike in gun violence in the city. Tory said the city has a gun problem.

“Guns are too readily available to too many people,” Tory said.
Two persons are killed, and one injured, in a shooting in downtown Toronto. These are the 49th and 50th murders this year, marking a surge of violence in the city.