Twelve Injured in Brazen Pub Shooting in Toronto

A shooting at a Toronto pub left twelve individuals injured on Friday night, with authorities now in pursuit of three suspects who fled the scene.

In a shocking incident that has rattled the Toronto community, twelve people were injured, including six with bullet wounds, when three armed men opened fire inside a pub near Scarborough city centre on Friday evening. The series of shots rang out around 10:39 PM local time (03:39 GMT Saturday), resulting in mayhem as patrons sought refuge from the violence.

Police reported that the suspects were armed with an assault rifle and handguns, firing indiscriminately amid the crowd of individuals ranging from their 20s to mid-50s. Fortunately, the injuries sustained were not life-threatening, with Toronto Police Superintendent Paul MacIntyre expressing relief that no fatalities occurred. "By the grace of God, there have been no fatalities," he remarked, emphasizing the horror displayed in the shooting video footage.

MacIntyre described the attack as a "brazen and reckless act of violence," noting the shattered glass walls and blood stains left in the aftermath. The incident prompted Mayor Olivia Chow to voice her deep concern, highlighting the troubling nature of the shooting's magnitude and the number of injuries involved. Premier Doug Ford also condemned the shooting and extended support to Toronto Police as they work tirelessly to capture the suspects.

Eyewitness accounts reveal chaos during the attack, with patrons rushing to safety as fear gripped the venue. One suspect, wearing a black balaclava, was reportedly seen fleeing the scene in a silver car. This shooting marks a significant uptick in violence within the region, as data indicates that last year, eight individuals were injured and two were killed in shootings in the same police division.

Toronto, a city of three million residents, experienced 43 shooting-related fatalities last year, although Canada overall maintains a lower firearm homicide rate—standing at 0.6 per 100,000 people compared to the United States' rate of 4.5 per 100,000, based on 2021 statistics. Authorities continue their investigation, appealing to the public for any information related to the case to bring the suspects to justice.