Gunman Opens Fire in Busy Canadian Mall

Reuters
Connor Simpson 2,282 Views Jun 3, 2012

One person is dead and seven are injured after a gunmen opened fire in the middle of Toronto's Eaton Centre food court on Saturday evening. The Globe and Mail reports the shooting happened around 6:30 p.m. Saturday when a man started firing near the Big Smoke Burger in the mall's food court. Toronto police chief Bill Blair told the CBC they think the lone victim, a 25 year-old male, was a target, but the others injured were merely innocent bystanders. He said the "nature of those wounds" on the victim indicate he was targeted. Police are currently reviewing security footage to try and determine a suspect.

Of those injured, a 13 year-old boy is in critical condition, along with a 20 year-old man. Three others are in serious condition, and a pregnant lady went into labor after being knocked over by crowds attempting to avoid the shooting. The remaining victim was merely grazed by a bullet. 

The mall is in the heart of downtown Toronto, and was packed at the time of the shooting. "If it can happen in the Eaton Centre it can happen anywhere," a witness told the Globe and Mail. A member of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team was at the mall, and was one of the first people to break the news of the shooting. Third baseman Brett Lawrie tweeted, "Pretty sure someone just let off a round bullets in eaton center mall .. Wow just sprinted out of the mall ... Through traffic ..." 

It's been a violent week for our northern neighbours. Luka Magnotta, the suspect in the Canadian foot-mail killing, is still on the run despite an international manhunt

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