Christopher McLean, 25, of Brampton, Killed in a shooting in Toronto on Friday, June 3, 2016 Was Targeted, Black Lives Matter

TORONTO - A 25-year-old Brampton man was shot to death during a violence-filled weekend in Toronto that saw seven other victims wounded by guns and knives.

Toronto Police say Christopher McLean was gunned down in a parking lot near Weston Rd. and Imogene Ave. around 6:30 p.m. Friday.

“The shooting is believed to be targeted,” Const. Craig Brister said Monday.

He said McLean suffered “multiple gunshot wounds” and died at the scene.

Investigators are looking for two men who may have fled in a black sedan.

McLean is the city’s 32nd murder victim of the year, a sharp increase over the 20 slayings in Toronto at this time last year. And so far in 2016, 20 killings have come by way of guns.

McLean’s murder came the same night a 10-year-old boy was wounded by gunfire inside his family’s Pape-Danforth Aves. home.

The sleeping child was hit in the shoulder by one of the dozen or so bullets that riddled the townhouse at a TCHC complex on Blake St.

“(The boy’s family) say he’s doing OK,” one neighbour, who asked not to be identified, said at the complex Monday.

“My heart goes out to them,” she said, adding the shooting is especially troubling because it involves an innocent child.

A man in his 20s also suffered life-threatening injuries when he was shot in the west end over the weekend.

Five others suffered stab wounds in altercations around town, including a 23-year-old man who was critically injured near Spadina Ave. and College St.

Const. David Hopkinson said the man was with friends when another group of men robbed them of their phones and jewelry around 3:20 a.m. Sunday.

“A struggle ensued,” he said, explaining one of the robbers pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim in his chest.

Mayor John Tory called the recent violence “heartbreaking” but insisted the city is “very safe.”

TORONTO'S CHILDREN UNDER FIRE

A 10-year-old who was shot in the shoulder inside his family’s townhouse near Danforth and Pape Aves. and an infant who died three weeks after he was delivered via C-section from his dying mom, Candice Rochelle Bob, are just the latest innocent children hurt or killed by gunfire in the city.

    June 13, 1999: Breanna Davy, 3, was in the front seat of a car when a gunman shot her and her father, Warren Blackstock, 27, at a TCHC housing complex on Driftwood Ave., near Jane St. and Finch Ave. W. The toddler was killed and her father paralyzed.

    Aug. 3, 2005: Shaquan Cadougan, 4, was out front of his TCHC townhome on Driftwood Ave., near Jane St. and Finch Ave. W., when more than a dozen gunshots were fired from a passing car. The toddler survived but was left with life-long injuries.

    Dec. 26, 2005: Jane Creba, 15, was shopping with her family on Yonge St., near Gerrard St., when she was caught in the crossfire of a gangland shootout. Seven others wounded in the Boxing Day bloodbath.

    May 23, 2007: Jordan Manners, 15, became the first victim murdered in a Toronto school when he was gunned down at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate, near Keele St. and Finch Ave. W.

    July 22, 2007: Ephraim Brown, 11, was outside enjoying a relative’s birthday party at a TCHC housing complex, near Keele St. and Sheppard Ave. W., when he was caught in the crossfire of a shootout — allegedly involving rival gang members — and killed.

    July 16, 2012: Shyanne Charles, 14, was one of two killed when a gun-battle broke out during a barbecue at a TCHC housing complex on Danzig St., near Morningside Ave. and Lawrence Ave. W. Another 22 were injured, including a 22-month-old boy, in the city’s worst ever mass shooting.

    July 9, 2015: Lecent Ross, 12, was visiting a friend’s home at a TCHC townhouse on Jamestown Cr., in Rexdale, when she was shot and killed.
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