Two people have been killed and three others wounded in a shooting in the Etobicoke district of Toronto, prompting a major police operation as officers search for an active shooter.
Toronto police responded to reports of gunfire in the area of Kipling Avenue and Bergamot Avenue, near Highway 401, at approximately 9:30 p.m. local time on Monday. Officers arrived to find multiple victims with gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced two victims dead at the scene, while three others were transported to local hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to a police statement.
Police Search for Suspect
Police have not released a description of the suspect or suspects. The investigation is in its early stages, and authorities are urging the public to avoid the area as they conduct a search. “We are currently dealing with an active shooter situation,” said Inspector Paul Krawczyk of the Toronto Police Service. “We are asking residents in the area to shelter in place and report any suspicious activity.”
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. One resident, who declined to be named, told local media they heard “about six to eight shots” and saw people running. Another witness described seeing a person fleeing the scene.
Community in Shock
The shooting has left the local community in shock. Etobicoke is a suburban district in west Toronto, not typically associated with such violent incidents. “This is a quiet neighborhood,” said a local shopkeeper. “We never see anything like this. It’s terrifying.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said the city was “heartbroken” by the violence. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as they become available,” she said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.”
The incident is the latest in a series of high-profile shootings in Canada, though gun violence remains less common than in the United States. According to Statistics Canada, the homicide rate in Toronto has been declining in recent years, with 54 homicides recorded in 2025, down from 67 in 2024. However, shootings continue to spark concerns about public safety.
Police have set up a command post and are using drones and canine units to search for the shooter. Several roads in the area remain closed. The investigation is ongoing.
