UPDATE (4:24 p.m. ET): Police provided an update that they had apprehended two suspects and two firearms, and two victims had been found with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
SHOOTING:
Nathan Phillip's Square
-Bay St and Albert St
-Police have located 2 victims
-Injuries serious but not life threatening
-2 people in custody
-2 firearms recovered
-Investigating
^dh— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) June 17, 2019
Original Story:
What was supposed to be a joyous occasion in Toronto took a scary turn late in the afternoon as the Raptors’ NBA championship parade was interrupted by a shooting in the back of Nathan Phillips Square, as confirmed by the Toronto police on Twitter.
SHOOTING:
Nathan Phillip's Square
-Reports of woman shot
-People running from area
-Police/EMS are on scene
-Unknown what the injuries are#GO112676
^dh— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) June 17, 2019
Initial reports of the shooting indicated four shots had been fired, which led to people running in panic from the back of the square, while the Raptors were on stage at the front of the square giving speeches.
Gunshots fired at the parade at the back south east corner of Nathan Phillips Square. One witness said four shots. Crowd ran. There is a victim down being given medical attention, surrounded by a crowd, and police are clearing people from the area. Speeches are still going on.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) June 17, 2019
ppl have been running from the back of the stage for some reason. hope everyone’s safe. #RaptorsParade pic.twitter.com/HRoeTZ4val
— Gelek Barleytsang (@GelekB) June 17, 2019
Raptors TV broadcaster Matt Devlin took to the microphone and asked those in the square to stay calm, alerting them that there was a “serious incident” in the area nearby.
The Raptors ceremony has been interrupted for a serious incident. pic.twitter.com/JIzOuNzvsb
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) June 17, 2019
Speeches from players would continue shortly after the announcement was made, but the concern had obviously shifted to what had happened in the surrounding area. The situation is still developing and there are a number of unconfirmed reports of what exactly happened and where, but it was a scary scene at the Square as well as Eaton Centre, a block away.
Stay away from the eaton centre. Please just ran in there, and crowd just ran away. If you’re in the area, get down.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) June 17, 2019
We will provide further updates when they become available from police, but for now we hope everyone is able to stay safe and the celebration is able to move forward.
