'These guys just looked at the crowd and opened fire,' Toronto police say after Scarborough pub mass shooting
Nobody killed but 12 injured by bullets and flying glass, shooters at large
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw called the mass shooting at a Scarborough pub an "incredibly brazen act of violence" on Saturday as investigators continue to search for clues amid broken glass and discarded drinks.
Police said three masked gunman entered the Piper Arms Pub, near the Scarborough Town Centre mall, and began shooting indiscriminately around 10:40 p.m. ET on Friday. Nobody was killed, but 12 people — some in their 20s, some in their mid-50s — were injured by either bullets or flying glass. All of the victims are expected to survive.
The suspected shooters remain at large. They drove away after the attack.
Demkiw, pressed by reporters on whether the shooting is linked to recent violence connected to the tow truck industry, declined to speculate on the potential motive. He said this remains a fresh and active investigation.
"We will go where the evidence leads us," he said.
Toronto police said they began receiving multiple 911 calls on Friday night about a shooting at the pub, which was celebrating its opening night. It remains cordoned off by crime tape this afternoon, and Demkiw said residents should expect to see an increased police presence in the area for a while.
Investigators are also asking anyone who witnessed the attack or may have dashcam video from the area to contact them.
WATCH | Here's what we know about the shooting so far:
Shooting captured by pub's security cameras
Supt. Paul MacIntyre, speaking to reporters outside the pub shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday, said it was "extremely lucky" no one died.
MacIntyre said the pub's surveillance video captured a scene that horrified investigators.
One gunman used an assault rifle while the other two opened fire with handguns as they fired into the the pub.
"We've seen a lot of shootings over the years, a lot of video, you get inured to it to a certain extent, but tonight's shooting, these guys just looked at the crowd and opened fire," MacIntyre said. "It was horrible"
The video — which hasn't been released to the public — shows patrons enjoying food and drink at tables, booths and the bar immediately ducking for cover once the shooting started, he said. Some fell to the floor after being struck. When police arrived, MacIntyre said some patrons were still lying on the floor, or sitting in the seat where they'd been shot.
The pub floor was still covered in broken glass and blood early Saturday morning, he said.
"It looks like we had a mass-casualty shooting inside a pub," MacIntyre said. "When you walk in, it's kind of eerie. The drinks are still on the table. The food is still on the table. People's purses, shoes are still in there."
Locals shaken, politicians say police will ensure safety
Several local residents told CBC Toronto Saturday morning they were disturbed something so violent could happen so close to home, and without warning.
"Pedestrians were walking by, [people were] having a good time on a Friday night, and just to see something like this, it's terrible," said Lemaun Bailey-McIntosh, who was out shopping near the crime scene Saturday morning.
"Thank God nobody got killed."
Coun. Michael Thompson, who represents Scarborough Centre, said he received several calls Saturday morning from concerned locals.
He said he the news was shocking, but trusts police will get to the bottom of what led to the shooting.
"We want to ensure that the community is safe and that people who go into any of these establishments can be sure that they're going to be OK," Thompson said.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow told reporters Saturday morning that she was "deeply troubled" by the news and her thoughts were with the victims and their families.
Chow said she has spoken to Demkiw and he has assured her that "all his resources, his unit commanders, they're there investigating all night and this morning."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also offered his thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families Saturday. In a post on X, he said the shooting "will not be tolerated" and Toronto police have his full support "as they bring those responsible to justice."
With files from Muriel Draaisma and Naama Weingarten