Authorities are investigating what led to a lone gunman opening fire Sunday night inside a condo tower in Vaughan, just north of Toronto, killing five people before being shot dead by police.
York Regional Police (YRP) responded to an "active shooting call” at a condominium at 9325 Jane St., north of Rutherford Road, just before 7:30 p.m.
A gunman, later identified as a 73-year-old man, opened fire, killing five people and injuring another before being fatally shot by police, York YRP Chief Jim MacSween told reporters at the scene late Sunday.
“Once the officers arrived, they were met with a horrendous scene where numerous victims were deceased,” he said, noting YRP’s homicide unit is doing a “parallel investigation” into the five fatal shootings that occurred prior to officers engaging with the suspect.
The sixth victim was taken to hospital in serious condition but is expected to survive police said.
As of Monday morning, several officers from YRP remain at the scene, including members of the force’s emergency response unit, who “conducted a thorough search of the building to ensure there are no additional victims,” YRP said in a news release. Forensic identification officers are also on hand.
Members of York police’s emergency response unit were also at the scene Sunday evening to assist in clearing the buildings in the residential complex.
In a tweet posted at 1:18 a.m., YRP said the residents of those evacuated buildings “are now able to return to their homes.”
“We thank you for your patience and understanding while we worked to ensure safety and preserve evidence,” police said.
MacSween said while it is unclear at this point what “drew this person here,” there is “no further threat to the community at this point.”
“Right now, we just offer sincere condolences to the victims’ families. We're in the process right now of doing notifications to those families,” he said, adding for now he is unable to share any information about the victims.
Duty Insp. Const. Laura Nicolle, who also spoke with the media Sunday night at the scene, said the investigation is currently in its early stages.
Ontario's Special Investigation Unit, the province's police watchdog, is also investigation the mass shooting.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact York police’s homicide unit at 1-288-876-5423, ext. 7865.
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