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Toronto shooting: Gunman kills two in Greektown district Toronto shooting: Gunman kills two women in Greektown
(35 minutes later)
Two people have been killed and 12 others wounded, one of them critically, by a gunman who opened fire on a busy avenue in Canada's largest city. A 10-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman were fatally injured after a gunman opened fire on a busy avenue in Canada's largest city, police say.
One of the dead was a young woman, while the person critically injured in the attack in the Greektown district of Toronto is a girl of eight or nine. Thirteen other people, ranging in age between 10 and 59, were injured in the attack in the Greektown district of Toronto, police chief Mark Saunders told reporters.
The suspect, 29, had "an exchange of gunfire" with police officers before being found dead nearby, police said. The suspect, 29, had an exchange of gunfire with police officers before being found dead nearby.
The motive for the shooting is unclear. Police have not identified the suspect. The motive for the shooting is unknown.
The attack erupted on Sunday evening. In a video clip shared by Canadian media, a white man wearing a dark cap and dark clothing and carrying a shoulder bag can be seen stopping on a pavement and pulling out a handgun before firing shots. Police have not identified the suspect, and it is unclear if he was killed by police gunfire or took his own life.
The attack happened on Sunday evening. In a video clip shared by Canadian media, a white man wearing a dark cap and dark clothing and carrying a shoulder bag can be seen stopping on a pavement and pulling out a handgun before firing shots.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent his sympathies to the victims and the city in a tweet, while Toronto Mayor John Tory condemned the "despicable" attack on "people innocently enjoying a Sunday evening".Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent his sympathies to the victims and the city in a tweet, while Toronto Mayor John Tory condemned the "despicable" attack on "people innocently enjoying a Sunday evening".
What happened?What happened?
Emergency services were called out just after 22:00 (02:00 GMT Monday). The site of the attack is a piazza with a fountain that is popular with local people and was busy at the time, the Toronto Globe and Mail writes.Emergency services were called out just after 22:00 (02:00 GMT Monday). The site of the attack is a piazza with a fountain that is popular with local people and was busy at the time, the Toronto Globe and Mail writes.
A number of people were reportedly hurt in a cafe called the Demetres, while others were hit in the street.A number of people were reportedly hurt in a cafe called the Demetres, while others were hit in the street.
One victim's death was reported soon after the attack, with the second death announced on Monday morning.One victim's death was reported soon after the attack, with the second death announced on Monday morning.
According to the Special Investigations Unit, which looks into incidents involving police which result in death, the gunman was found on Bowden Street, a short distance from the cafe. Dr Najma Ahmed, the acting medical director of St Michael's Hospital, told Canadian broadcaster CBC they were treating five patients, all of whom were in serious or critical condition.
According to the Special Investigations Unit, which looks into incidents involving police which result in death, the gunman was tracked by officers to Bowden Street, a short distance from the cafe.
"An exchange of gunfire" then took place, before the man fled once more. He was found dead on Danforth Avenue."An exchange of gunfire" then took place, before the man fled once more. He was found dead on Danforth Avenue.
Andrew Mantzios had been drinking coffee with friends by the fountain when he heard shots and turned around to see the gunman coming towards his group.Andrew Mantzios had been drinking coffee with friends by the fountain when he heard shots and turned around to see the gunman coming towards his group.
"He had this horrible expression on his face," Mr Mantzios was quoted as saying by the Globe and Mail."He had this horrible expression on his face," Mr Mantzios was quoted as saying by the Globe and Mail.
The gunman fired at a crowd of people waiting to cross the street, he said.The gunman fired at a crowd of people waiting to cross the street, he said.
"And then a lady tried to run and she fell down. He turned around and shot her point blank, two or three times.""And then a lady tried to run and she fell down. He turned around and shot her point blank, two or three times."
Lenny Graf was watching his son and a friend play by the fountain when he heard "what sounded like firecrackers" and saw people start running.
He desperately looked around for his son, Jason, nine. When he saw him, panic rose in his throat.
"He was crouched down behind the fountain, the shooter was only about 10ft (3m) away from him," he told the BBC.
Mr Graf didn't know what to do. "I wasn't sure if I would get shot and I wasn't sure how I could protect my son," he said.
But luckily, the gunman did not spot either of them. Shortly afterwards, he began walking away - and Mr Graf and his son were able to run into a restaurant, where they waited for the emergency services.
Disbelief in one of Toronto's 'villages'Disbelief in one of Toronto's 'villages'
By Jessica Murphy, BBC News, TorontoBy Jessica Murphy, BBC News, Toronto
The Danforth - usually a busy strip for commuters - was quiet and empty on Monday morning.The Danforth - usually a busy strip for commuters - was quiet and empty on Monday morning.
Police tape cordoned off multiple blocks of the main commercial stretch as detectives continued their search for evidence.Police tape cordoned off multiple blocks of the main commercial stretch as detectives continued their search for evidence.
"It's really terrible and unprecedented," says Anita Nador, who lives just blocks away from where the shooting took place."It's really terrible and unprecedented," says Anita Nador, who lives just blocks away from where the shooting took place.
The neighbourhood is the closest residential area to the city's downtown core and she says it's a close-knit community.The neighbourhood is the closest residential area to the city's downtown core and she says it's a close-knit community.
People who live near the Danforth know their local shopkeepers, know each other from the dog park or their children's school.People who live near the Danforth know their local shopkeepers, know each other from the dog park or their children's school.
"People think of Toronto as a big city - nobody knows each other - but it's really a series of villages," she says."People think of Toronto as a big city - nobody knows each other - but it's really a series of villages," she says.
While those I spoke with reacted with shock and disbelief regarding the news, many were all careful to note that Toronto is still one of the safest North American cities.While those I spoke with reacted with shock and disbelief regarding the news, many were all careful to note that Toronto is still one of the safest North American cities.
"You can't control the random acts," said Ms Nador."You can't control the random acts," said Ms Nador.
What do we know of the attacker?What do we know of the attacker?
Very little. Toronto police have not named him, or given any details other than his age (29).Very little. Toronto police have not named him, or given any details other than his age (29).
It is unclear whether he was shot by police or killed himself.It is unclear whether he was shot by police or killed himself.
Jessica Young, an employee at the Second Cup cafe, said she had seen the gunman's face before he fired through the window.Jessica Young, an employee at the Second Cup cafe, said she had seen the gunman's face before he fired through the window.
She told the Toronto Star newspaper: "He was probably no taller than me, wearing a black baseball cap, dark clothes. He had light skin. I think he had short facial hair. That's all I could make out."She told the Toronto Star newspaper: "He was probably no taller than me, wearing a black baseball cap, dark clothes. He had light skin. I think he had short facial hair. That's all I could make out."
Nobody was hurt in her cafe, she added.Nobody was hurt in her cafe, she added.
Is Toronto known for gun violence?Is Toronto known for gun violence?
Gun violence is much rarer in Canada than over the border in the US, but Toronto has seen attacks increase dramatically in recent years.Gun violence is much rarer in Canada than over the border in the US, but Toronto has seen attacks increase dramatically in recent years.
Shootings in the city over a holiday weekend earlier this month led to Mayor Tory saying he was working to get more police patrolling the streets.Shootings in the city over a holiday weekend earlier this month led to Mayor Tory saying he was working to get more police patrolling the streets.
Police data also shows the number of shootings in Toronto more than doubled between 2014 and 2017 - from 177 to 395.Police data also shows the number of shootings in Toronto more than doubled between 2014 and 2017 - from 177 to 395.
Mr Trudeau's ruling Liberal party wants tougher background checks, including screening people with a history of violence.Mr Trudeau's ruling Liberal party wants tougher background checks, including screening people with a history of violence.
Gun control has often sparked divisive debates in Canada, which has a large rural population where guns are widely owned and used.Gun control has often sparked divisive debates in Canada, which has a large rural population where guns are widely owned and used.
Were you in the area at the time? Did you witness what happened? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Were you in the area at the time? Did you witness what happened? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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