Shooting spree on Danforth leaves three dead, 12 injured

East York and Riverdale residents woke up today to learn their beloved Danforth Avenue strip had become the site of one of Toronto’s worst mass shootings.

A 1.2-kilometre stretch of the road in Greektown was blocked off by police this morning, following a shooting spree the previous evening that left three people dead and 12 injured.

A man armed with a handgun was reported to have walked along Danforth, shooting into pubs and restaurants at about 10 p.m. on Sunday night.

Video posted to social media shows an alleged shooter drawing a gun and firing toward businesses on the north side of the street.

Early reports were that two people, including the alleged shooter, were dead and 13 people were injured. But by morning one of the injured had apparently died and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said in a press release “two civilians” were fatally injured.

Police Chief Mark Saunders said officers were on the scene quickly. They exchanged gunfire with the suspected shooter and he likely died of wounds received in that exchange, Saunders told media.

The SIU, which investigates all shootings involving police, said officers first found the shooter on Bowden Street, a sidestreet running south from Danforth, where the exchange of gunfire took place. The man then fled that area and was found dead on Danforth.

The identity of the shooter has not been released but the SIU referred to him as a 29-year-old man.

Victims were reportedly spread across many blocks.

Police blocked off Danforth between Broadview and Carlaw avenues.

Monday morning at about 8 a.m. officers were seen en masse scouring the Alexander the Great Parkette on the northeast corner of Danforth and Logan Avenue.

The Greektown part of Danforth Avenue is one of Toronto’s busiest and most popular areas, known for its many restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.