Shooting victim remains in critical condition

The 22-year-old man was shot when his vehicle was parked by the snow bank on the left at this Terrace Brae Plaza.

A 22-year-old man remains in critical condition at Sunnybrook hospital after he was shot in the chest while sitting in an SUV at a plaza in Scarborough.

The incident happened last Thursday around 7 p.m. in the parking lot of the Terrace Brae Plaza, on the southeast corner of Markham Road and Lawrence Avenue East.

Toronto Police say the victim’s nine-year-old stepdaughter was in the backseat of the vehicle when the brazen shooting took place. She escaped unharmed.

On Monday, three days after the shooting, nothing seemed amiss. Businesses were open as usual and people shuffled in and out of the parking lot.

The Observer spoke to several people who did not seem to have been phased at all by the shooting.

“It was really busy,” said a restaurant worker. “There were several customers inside and then all of a sudden people started running for cover. In 10 to 15 minutes, we saw several police cruisers and ambulances.”

With that said, he continued to prepare pizza crust as the aroma of pepperoni filled the restaurant.

One storeowner who refused to give his name said investigators have not asked him anything even though the shooting took place in front of his store.

“It happened right here, right next to this car,” he said while pointing outside. “I saw a red van near the snow bank and there was a guy that came out, but that time you don’t take any notice.

“The parking lot was so packed, you wouldn’t believe it.”

Police are looking for a man with dreadlocks, believed to be 23 to 25, who was seen driving off in a red or burgundy van after the shooting.

“Investigations are continuing,” says Det. Timothy Johnstone of 43 Division. “We are reviewing surveillance cameras and appealing to witnesses to come forward.”

Witnesses may call 43 Division at (416) 808-4300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (416) 222-TIPS.

About this article

By: Patrick Clarke
Posted: Apr 4 2008 8:37 am
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Filed under: News