At Least 1 Killed, Multiple People Shot in Canada's Mississauga
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A 17-year-old boy is dead and five others were wounded after gunfire erupted in Mississauga, Canada, on Saturday evening, Peel Regional Police say.
Speaking to reporters from the scene Saturday night, Chief Chris McCord said among those injured are a 13 year-old, a 16 year-old, two 17 year-olds and a woman in her 50s. One of those victims is in life-threatening condition, while the others are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, McCord said.
Police are now searching for what they believe are "multiple individuals armed with semi-automatic weapons," who fled from the area after the shooting.
"There is a concern for public safety," McCord said, though he added police have combed the area and don't have reason to believe the suspects will return, CBC News reported.
Peel Regional Police were called to an apartment building on Darcel Avenue near Morning Star Drive and Goreway Drive at 6:22 p.m. ET. Multiple vehicles with bullet holes could be seen in the area.
Investigators believe the shooting took place at a parkette behind the building. McCord told reporters that investigators have information that a music video was being filmed behind the building, but it's unknown if the shooting was related to that filming in any way.
There was a heavy police presence in the area for much of the evening as officers combed through the building to rule out any other victims or possible suspects.
"It is a large scene and a very dynamic investigation," police spokesperson Iryna Yashnyk told reporters earlier in the evening.
Police had several units in the area Saturday night, including tactical and K9 teams. Investigators spoke with several witnesses and are canvassing for video.
Police are working on notifying the victim's next of kin and say the homicide bureau has been notified.
Canada has very low levels of gun violence, particularly when compared with its neighbor the United States, which continues to have the highest number of gun deaths per capita of any developed nation; a minimum number of 33,000 victims annually, including hundreds of children, according to media reports.
Last year, two tragic events shocked the city of Toronto. A woman and a young girl were killed and 13 others injured in a July 2018 shooting in Toronto’s Greektown neighborhood. In May 2018, a blast ripped through the Bombay Bhel restaurant in Mississauga, injuring 15.
