2nd man dies after downtown Toronto shooting near Queen St and Peter woman injured in shooting is expected to recover

Toronto police confirm that a second man has died following a shooting downtown on Saturday night in the city's entertainment district.
   
Three people, two men and a woman, were wounded in the shooting shortly before 8 p.m. near Queen Street West and Peter Street, police said. The area was bustling with people on the Canada Day long weekend.

All three were rushed to trauma centres through an emergency run. One man, who was without vital signs at the scene, was pronounced dead in hospital.
The second man died in hospital overnight while the woman is expected to recover from her injuries, according to Toronto Police Homicide Det. Jeff Allington.

One of the two men who died was believed to be in his 20s, while the woman is believed to be in her 30s. Allington declined to release the victims' names and ages. He said police are trying to notify next of kin.
People running, screaming after shooting

“We thought it was fireworks for Canada Day.” Witness describes shooting on Toronto’s Queen Street West. pic.twitter.com/sGtBr1w0TA

— Neil Herland (@NEWSneil) July 1, 2018

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Witnesses told police that the scene was chaotic following the shooting.

"Reports were coming in from the scene by callers that a number of shots had been heard and that there were a number of people running and screaming in the area," Const. David Hopkinson, spokesperson for Toronto police, said on Sunday.

When officers arrived, they found two victims on the street immediately. Police searched the area and found the third victim a short time later, Hopkinson added.

"Typically in scenes like this, we do find the victims in other places, either they are trying to get to the hospital or they are trying to flee the situation," he said.
Suspects seen fleeing the scene

Hopkinson declined to say whether police believe the shooting was targeted and would not confirm whether the shooting occurred outside.

More than one suspect was seen running from the area and may have fled in a black SUV or white car, police said. Witnesses told reporters they saw a white Range Rover and a black Bentley speeding away.

Allington said "a number of cars" left the area shortly after the shooting. Homicide detectives would like to talk to those drivers, he said.

Queen Street West remains closed in the area as homicide detectives continue to collect evidence.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Hopkinson said investigators would like to speak to anyone who took photos or videos or who may have dashboard camera video or businesses that might have security camera footage.

Witnesses can call police at (416) 808-5200 or (416) 808-7400.

Mayor John Tory is expected to react to the city's latest homicides on Sunday morning. 
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