Police identify woman killed in daytime shooting in Toronto's east end
Victim identified as Karolina Huebner-Makurat, 44, of Toronto
Toronto police have identified a woman who died following a daytime shooting in a busy neighbourhood in the city's east end on Friday.
The victim has been identified as Karolina Huebner-Makurat, 44, of Toronto, police said in a news release issued Saturday. She was hit by a stray bullet, according to police.
Huebner-Makurat is the 32nd victim of homicide in the city this year, police say.
Just before 12:30 p.m. on Friday police received a call for a shooting in the Queen Street East and Carlaw Avenue area.
Police say there was a physical altercation between three males when two of them took out handguns and shot at each other.
The woman was walking in the area and was struck by a stray bullet, police said. She was transported to hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
A 'tragic day,' victim's husband says
In a social media post Huebner-Makurat's husband Adrian Makurat said Friday was a "tragic day."
"Life is short. Hug your love ones every moment you get the chance. Asking for privacy at this time," he wrote on Facebook.
A GoFundMe campaign "to extend a helping hand to Caroline's family in their time of profound need" has raised around $80,000 of its $100,000-goal on Sunday.
On Saturday, several members of the Leslieville community left flowers at the spot where Huebner-Makurat was shot and killed.
Joanne Robb, one of the residents who brought flowers, said she did it "just to pay my respects."
"It's sad, very sad," she told CBC Toronto.
'An assault on our neighbourhood'
"This is our neighbourhood and it breaks our heart, it feels like an assault on our neighborhood," Urmi Desai, another resident, said.
Sarah Deas, one of the last people to see Huebner-Makurat alive, said she ran to help and comfort her.
"At that point nobody was really sure what happened, like whether it was a real gun — somebody thought it was a BB gun," she told CBC Toronto.
"Soon after they started doing CPR on the woman ... it was just like so traumatic and sad."
Deas said, "I would like there to be more safety measures in various communities, especially Leslieville, but, you know, clearly there's a lot happening all over the city."
Police looking for 3 suspects
On Sunday police released images of three men being sought in connection with the deadly shooting.
The first is said to be between 25 and 30 years old, tall, with a medium build and cornrows. He was wearing a white t-shirt with a black stripe from sleeve to sleeve, blue jeans and white shoes. He may have injuries to his head, according to police.
The second suspect is said to be between 18 and 25 years old, average height, slim build, with long hair in a ponytail. He was wearing a black baseball hat, a black North Face hoodie, dark coloured jeans and white shoes, police say.
The third is believed to be between 18 and 25 years old, tall, with a thin build. He was wearing a grey hoodie, dark pants and dark shoes.
Police said all three suspects fled the area on foot after the shooting.
Police are asking members of the public who have dash cam video or CCTV video from the area to contact investigators. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
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With files from Greg Ross