Toronto police are searching for four suspects in connection with a shooting that left one man dead in North York late Monday.
Police have identified the victim as Ajay Simpson, 20, of Toronto.
The shooting happened shortly before midnight in the area of Jane Street and Falstaff Avenue. In a news release Tuesday, police said a light-coloured SUV arrived in the area and four armed suspects exited the vehicle with firearms and several shots were fired.
All then got back into the SUV and fled the scene.
Officers arrived to find a man with gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Det. Sgt. Michael Taylor told reporters at a news conference that it’s not clear exactly how many were fired.
Taylor would not confirm whether Simpson resided in the area where he was shot.
“Gun violence is very traumatic and impacts a lot of people,” Taylor said. “My sole intention today is to appeal for any information that can assist my investigation.”
A large police presence remained in the area of the shooting to collect evidence Tuesday afternoon.
Insp. Keri Fernandes said 12 Division has increased patrols in the area of Falstaff Avenue, among other neighbourhoods, in recent weeks.
“Yesterday afternoon we had officers here just for the purpose of meeting with the community … just prior to the homicide occurring,” Fernandes said at the news Tuesday conference.
“I know that over the past several weeks we’ve had multiple incidents of police being here for the purpose of just patrolling. [Police] are here all the time.”
Fernandes said that the City of Toronto and SafeTO program are sending community outreach workers to the area.
“A lot of recovery is needed by the community.”
Anyone with information or relevant video is asked to contact police.