TORONTO  - Two people were killed and about 20 injured, including an infant, in a late-night shooting at a Toronto street party, raising fears of a rise in gun crime in Canada’s largest city. Police said it was too early to say what prompted the shooting, which took place barely six weeks after two people were killed and six wounded in a gang-related weekend shoot-out at a downtown shopping mall. A young man and a young woman were killed in the latest shooting, police said. Many of the injured were hurt in the panic that ensued after shots were fired at around 10:40 p.m on Monday. One of the injured had been taken into custody as “a person of interest” in the police investigation.
“This is the most serious crime of its kind to ever take place in the city of Toronto,” Police Chief Bill Blair told reporters on Tuesday at a pre-dawn news conference at the scene. The shooting took place in the eastern district of Scarborough, about 20km (15 miles) from downtown. Police said more than one shooter was involved. “An infant was injured by gunfire,” said a visibly shaken Blair. “But I have been advised that the injuries are not life-threatening.”