Dozens Of Bullets Fly In Latest Entertainment District Shootout
It was hardly the first gunfire in Toronto's often-troubled Entertainment District and it isn't likely to be the last, but the sheer number of shots fired in the latest Clubland shootout makes the Tuesday incident unique, and more than a little disturbing.
That's why police are eager to track down suspects and a bullet-riddled vehicle following a brazen early-morning gun battle they believe is gang-related. It all started outside an after-hours bar in the area of Adelaide and Peter Sts. at about 3am.
"I believe it was some form of gang fight, because of the number of rounds, and in excess of 25 shell casings marked out in the middle of the night," explained Toronto Police Det. Peter Karpow. "The fact that (there are) various calibres amidst the shell casings, you are looking at least four shooters. The trail of bullets leads all the way down the street. I am surprised more people weren't hurt."
In total investigators recovered about 27 bullets when they made the scene in the wee hours. Some of those were found as far away as King St. One weapon was recovered, but so far there are no suspects. Amazingly only one innocent bystander was injured, turning up at hospital a short time later with a bullet wound to the backside.
The shootout happened right in the area where police cameras keep an eye on the goings-on, which means that the suspects may have been caught on tape. Ironically, six more police eyes are going up Wednesday east of downtown.
Jerry Levitan, a lawyer for super club Circa, says the shootout is just another black eye on the Entertainment District, where he suggests proprietors need to do more to police themselves and ensure their patrons' safety.
"It's the places that don't spend enough money, don't vet their employees, and attract a very fast crowd to get in and out, those are the ones that should go," he said.
Toronto City Councillor Adam Vaughan, who represents Trinity-Spadina, was quick to second those sentiments.
"We have to get the clubs to take responsibility for the patrons when they leave," he said. "One of the things we're looking at is regulating the way sidewalks are and making the clubs responsible for what happens just outside the door as well as what happens inside the door."
Police are looking for a rented cherry-coloured PT Cruiser with bullet holes lodged in it, although they admit they're not sure whether the people who drove away in it were club patrons trying to flee the gunshots or involved in the shooting in some way.
If you have any information that can help investigators, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
1 comment:
Oh yes we all know how putting more people in jail will solve gun crime. The US has had incredible success with that, and most certainly we should follow their model.
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