A father and two of his adult daughters were shot during a violent home invasion in the city’s Bridle Path neighbourhood early Thursday morning, Toronto police say.
Police said three masked suspects armed with handguns and a hammer broke into the home, located on Hyde Park Circle, near Bayview and Lawrence avenues, at around 3:45 a.m.
Speaking to reporters at the scene on Thursday, Insp. Kristy Smith, of the Toronto Police Service’s Hold Up squad, said the suspects entered the home through a rear door.
Once inside, police said, the suspects confronted a husband and wife and their two adult daughters.
A struggle ensued, and the father and the two daughters were shot, Smith said.
One person was struck by a hammer, she noted.
All four victims were rushed to the hospital for treatment, and the suspects fled the scene prior to the arrival of first responders.
Police initially said two of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries, but in the update at the scene, Smith confirmed that their injuries are now believed to be life-altering. Two of the victims remain in hospital, she added.
Police have not released a description of the suspects but previously said they fled in an SUV.
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‘Frightening and disturbing’
“This is a very active and ongoing investigation. While we don’t have any detailed suspect information at this time, I can assure you that we are doing our best to provide information to you with regards to the potential three suspects that we are aware of at this time,” Smith said.
“We recognize how frightening and disturbing an incident like this is, not only for the victims but also for the residents and the entire community including the loved ones of the extended family. People should feel safe in their homes.”
She noted that a demand for valuables was made by the suspects but it is not clear if they actually escaped with any of the family’s belongings.
It is unclear what the suspects were looking for inside the home but Smith said car thieves often break into residences to steal high-end vehicles.
She said police do not have any information to suggest that this home was specifically targeted, adding that the neighbourhood is an “affluent area where people would have things that are sought after.”
She confirmed that police are looking into whether a gunshot victim who walked into a local hospital shortly after the home invasion is connected to the shooting.
“We are aware of that incident and I can’t say whether it is connected or not but it is definitely something we are going to investigate so we can draw that connection if there is one,” she said.
‘It just seems mind-boggling’
Neighbourhood resident Cecil Hawkins called the incident “a terrible shock and tragedy.”
“The current owner of the house is a lovely lady. She is so community-minded, so pleasant, affable, with two daughters,” he said.
“All of these houses have good security so I’m kind of surprised… and actually shooting people in the house, it just seems mind-boggling that they would actually do that.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she was “deeply troubled” by the incident.
“My thoughts are with the family and their loved ones, who are going through something no family should ever have to face. I am praying for their full recovery,” Chow said in a statement.
“This attack has understandably shaken the neighbourhood and many residents across Toronto. This violence is not acceptable in our city. People must be safe in their own homes. Toronto Police are investigating and they have my full support as they work to find those responsible and hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Coun. Rachel Chernos Lin, who represents the area, said the incident left her “heartbroken” and “horrified.”
“Every resident deserves to be safe in their home. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones during this deeply troubling time,” she said in a statement.
Chernos Lin called the home invasion a “brazen act of violence,” which she said was “deeply troubling.”
“I am alarmed by this escalation in violence and by the reality that such an incident could occur in our community,” she added.
