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Shooting that killed teen at Toronto pizza restaurant targeted but boy likely not intended victim, police say

Police believe a shooting that claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy at a Pizza Pizza restaurant in northwest Toronto early Sunday was targeted, but that he may not have been the intended victim.

Jarryl Hagley was eating with friends when gunmen entered the restaurant and began shooting

Muriel Draaisma, Shanifa Nasser · CBC News ·
Jarryl Hagley, 17, was shot in the early morning hours of Oct. 16, 2016 at a Pizza Pizza restaurant at 1937 Weston Rd., near Lawrence Avenue West.
Toronto police say Jarryl Hagley, 17, was eating at a Pizza Pizza restaurant with his friends when gunmen entered and began firing in his direction. Hagley was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries after the early morning shooting. (Facebook)

The 17-year-old boy shot dead at a Pizza Pizza restaurant in northwest Toronto early Sunday may not have been the intended victim, police say.

"We do believe this particular shooting was targeted in some way — perhaps not him specifically but the group he was with," Det. Paul Worden told CBC News, adding that Jarryl Hagley did not have a criminal record.

Worden said Hagley and some of his friends ran to a washroom for cover after gunmen entered the restaurant where they were eating and opened fire.

'Good information' from witnesses

Paramedics attempted life-saving measures on Hagley, who was later rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No one else was injured in the shooting, Toronto Police spokeswoman Const. Caroline De Kloet told CBC News.

Shots rang out around 1:40 a.m. at the restaurant at 1937 Weston Road, north of Lawrence Avenue West.

Toronto paramedics are pictured here on the night of shooting on Weston Road near Lawrence Avenue West.
Toronto paramedics move a patient on a stretcher after a shooting on Weston Road near Lawrence Avenue West early Sunday. (David Ritchie/CBC)

Worden said investigators have "good information" from witnesses about  three possible suspects but are still appealing to anyone with information to come forward. They're also canvassing the neighbourhood and looking for surveillance footage from nearby residents and businesses, specifically from 8 p.m. Saturday to 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

Earlier De Kloet told CBC News she could not confirm how many gunmen there were, saying only that there was "more than one."

Wrong place, wrong time

On Sunday, Hagley's stepmother, Trisha Samuels, described the 17-year-old as a "nice guy" who was in the "wrong place at the wrong time."

"If he would see an old lady walking with her groceries, and if she was straining, he would ask her where she was going and he would help her and assist her there. He was a kind guy. Very loving. He hugs everyone," said Samuels.

Hagley leaves behind three younger brothers, aged 11, 10 and seven.

Forensic investigators remain at the scene near Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue West on Oct. 16, 2016. (CBC)

"I want everyone to know that Jarryl was not just a loving person but he has brothers that love him and care about him. It hurts them to know their brother is not here right now," she said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help his family pay for his funeral. According to the page, Hagley was pronounced dead at 2:59 a.m. Sunday.

Trisha Samuels, stepmother of Jarryl Hagley, said he was a 'nice guy' and 'loving' and was in the 'wrong place at the wrong time.' (CBC)

Forensic investigators remained at the scene on Sunday afternoon after a heavy police presence earlier Sunday closed off Weston Road. The area has since reopened.

Anyone with information can contact police at 416-808-7400, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.

Jarryl Hagley was eating at a Pizza Pizza on Weston Road when gunmen entered the restaurant and began firing. He was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. (Facebook)

 

 

 

 

 

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