Police identify man, 32, killed in shooting at Sheridan Mall
John Trevor Paul was shot once in the chest on Friday evening
A 32-year-old man is dead after a shooting behind Sheridan Mall in North York, police said Saturday, the second fatal shooting at the shopping plaza in the past month.
Toronto police were called to the north side parking lot at 7:45 p.m. Friday evening. Officers found the victim badly injured, lying on the ground with a single bullet wound to his chest.
John Trevor Paul, of Toronto, was taken on an emergency run to hospital but later died from his injuries.
Toronto police homicide detective Christopher Ruhl said while the investigation is in its infancy, video evidence collected from the scene suggests the attack was targeted.
Paul was with some friends, apparently listening to music, in the moments before the shooting. A truck that Ruhl described as full-size and white or silver in colour approached the group.
To me, this a family place, so it's devastating.- Rickey Anderson, local resident
Three people got out of the truck and had a confrontation with Paul, while a fourth individual remained inside the truck. Not long after the interaction started, Paul was shot and the truck sped away from the parking lot.
Witnesses to the shooting provided statements to police, and officers continue to canvass the area for any other cameras that may have recorded the shooting.
This was the second shooting to take place at Sheridan Mall in the last month.
Last month, terrified shoppers ran for cover during the busy dinner hour at the mall as Jovane Clarke, 22, was chased inside from the parking garage and gunned down. Clarke died on the plaza's floor.
Investigators are still working on identifying the four suspects and determining a motive.
Locals told CBC Toronto that they hope police can do something to curb the intermittent violence that has put people on edge in a neighbourhood with a strong sense of community.
"I don't know what's going on, but I'm hoping that it stops," said Rickey Anderson, who was dropping by the area to pick up something to eat when he heard about the shooting.
"I come here all the time — to eat, and I drive my truck around here. To me, this a family place, so it's devastating," he said.
