Investigation Underway After 2 Dead, 12 Hurt In Toronto Shooting
TORONTO (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Toronto say they are looking into every possible motive after a suspect opened fire outside a row of restaurants, leaving at least two victims dead and 12 others hurt.
Cellphone video captured the gunfire ringing out into the street around 10 p.m. local time Sunday.
"I thought it was fireworks at first because it was rapid fire and then pause and some more fire. We didn't know what it was. Saw people starting to run," said witness John Tulloch.
The bustling Greektown neighborhood was brought to a halt as witnesses say the shooting, said to be a man dressed in black clothing and a black hat, began spraying bullets -- at one point, into a restaurant.
"It just seemed very surreal," said Tulloch.
Moments later, police confronted the suspect.
"Police had identified as a suspect at that particular point in time," said Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders. "There was an exchange of gunfire."
When it was all over, the suspect was dead. Investigators say the bullets injured 14 people, killing one of them Sunday. The second victim died early Monday morning, Toronto police spokesman Meaghan Gray said.
Among the injured was a girl who was aged 8 or 9. She is said to be in critical condition.
"This is so heartbreaking," said Toronto City Council member Mary Fragedakis. "The victims and their loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot imagine what they're going through."
"This is an attack against innocent families and against our city," said Toronto Mayor John Tory.
Police say they are still working to determine a motive, but law enforcement officials tell CBS News that they do not believe the shooting was terror-related.
"I'm looking at every single possible motive," said Saunders. "When you have this many people that are struck by gunfire, it's a grave concern. I certainly want to find out exactly what it is and so I'm not closing any doors or chapters on this and I certainly don't want to speculate as well."
In Canada, gun ownership is licensed by the federal government. Owners must pass a background check but there is no limit on how many weapons a person can own.
The city's mayor says the region has a gun problem.
"You've heard me ask the question why anybody would need buy ten or 20 guns, which they can lawfully do under the current laws," he said. "There are far too many people carrying around guns in our city and our region who should not have them."
Some city lawmakers say they have information that suggests the suspected shooter was emotionally disturbed, but police have not confirmed that.
Back in April, police said a suspect was arrested for deliberately driving a rented van down a crowded street in a Toronto business district. Ten people were killed.