Police say there were 11 separate shootings.
While our neighbours to the south are reeling in the aftermath of two horrific mass shootings, there has been some serious violence here at home as well.
According to Toronto Police, 13 people were shot over the weekend, in 11 separate shootings.
The most serious shooting was at a nightclub on Finch and Keele, in which 1 person suffered life-threatening injuries, and 5 people were shot in total.
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders held a press conference to discuss the shooting surge:
As usual, Toronto Mayor John Tory talked about gun bans in response to the surge in crime in the city he leads:
The gun violence we have seen in recent days in our city is absolutely unacceptable. I know @TorontoPolice are working non-stop to find those responsible for these shootings and to bring them to justice.
— John Tory (@JohnTory) August 5, 2019
I remain firmly of the belief that a handgun ban will help us address the gun violence we are experiencing in our city and the surrounding region.
— John Tory (@JohnTory) August 5, 2019
I led City Council – joined by other major Canadian cities – in sending a clear message on the need for a ban on handguns, assault rifles and semi-automatic firearms.
— John Tory (@JohnTory) August 5, 2019
This was always put forward as a part of the answer to gun violence together with changes to other laws affecting things like bail, additional support for police, and the paramount need for all three governments to invest together in kids, families and neighbourhoods.
— John Tory (@JohnTory) August 5, 2019
Of course, as we’ve seen over and over again, when Liberal politicians face gun crime in urban areas, they usually respond with policies that take firearms away from law-abiding gun owners in rural areas, which not only fails to address the actual problem of urban gang crime, but also criminalizes law-abiding citizens.
Unfortunately, we can expect Liberal politicians to try and politicize the shooting surge in Toronto in an effort to score political points.
Spencer Fernando
Photo – YouTube