Police try to calm Chinatown fears ahead of Lunar New Year

With Chinese New Year coming on Monday and celebrations kicking into high gear this weekend, Chinatown business and community leaders are trying to calm fears following a shooting that left two men dead. 

Five people were shot — two of them fatally — at a restaurant on Spadina Avenue near Nassau Street shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday, with the neighbourhood's late-night bars and restaurants.  

In response, the Chinatown Business Association held a news conference Friday at a dim sum restaurant along with Toronto police and local politicians. 

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Toronto Police Insp. Colin Greenaway called the neighbourhood "very, very safe" despite the recent shootings 

"This is a one-off, this is not something that's happening in Chinatown and Kensington Market on a regular basis," Greenaway told the news conference.

"I think it's very important to have this meeting today, so that the public can have some calm," he said. 

"The Chinatown community is still safe for visitors, residents and businesses alike," added Tony Yu, chair of the Chinatown Business Association.

Yu called on business owners and witnesses to come forward with information about the case.

The two men killed have been identified as Quinn Taylor, 29, and David Michael Eminess, 26.