A 28-year-old man was killed in one of five separate shootings throughout the GTA over the weekend.
Toronto's latest homicide took place on Saturday night around 10 p.m. at 4020 Dundas St. W. near Howland Ave.
Police told CityNews a neighbourhood barbeque was taking place at an apartment complex when someone opened fire near a playground.
The victim has been identified as Jermaine Smith, of Toronto. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses said there were numerous children in the area at the
time of the shooting, and that Smith was pushing them away while being
shot at.
"They (kids) were all outside yesterday running around," said disgusted area resident Tiana Turner. "It's ridiculous."
A young boy named Tyson was one of the children playing when the bullets started flying.
"I heard about four or five gunshots and then everybody starting
running," he told CityNews. "I was scared out of my mind."
Police are searching for at least one suspect, and believe the victim was targeted. Investigators removed two cars from the scene.
"We do not believe at this time that it was a random shooting," said Detective Sgt. Wayne Banks. "It seemed to be too focused."
Police believe there are numerous potential witnesses.
"There were approximately 100 or more (people) present at the time," Det. Banks adds. "If anyone has any information related to this shooting please contact us."
Earlier, a man was taken to hospital after he was shot in the Eglinton and Birchmount area.
The shots rang out around 6:45 p.m. near an apartment building at 2356 Eglinton Ave. The victim, said to be in his 20s, was hit in the leg.
Police are searching for three suspects in that case.
Then, around 8:30 p.m., a man was shot several times at 1450 Sheppard Ave. W., near Keele Street. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
Police are searching for four suspects in that incident.
At 3 a.m. shots were fired at a home in Brampton. No one was hurt and no arrests have been made.
Closing off the violent weekend was a confirmed shooting at Starbank Convenience on 549 North Service Rd, in Mississauga on Sunday afternoon. No further details are available.