A parent’s worst nightmare unfolded at a townhouse complex near McCowan Rd and Steeles Ave late Thursday afternoon.
Shots rang out near a playground and park area as 11 children were playing.
Two sisters, 5 and 9 years old, were hit by bullets. Police say that while the younger sister was in critical condition when they were rushed to Sick Kids hospital, both are now in stable condition after surgery.
Bullet holes can be seen in a fence directly behind a playground where a 5 and 9 y/o were shot in Scarborough yesterday. pic.twitter.com/L71Y56lDfX
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) June 15, 2018
Toronto Police tell NEWSTALK 1010 on Friday morning they are looking for a black 2007-2011 Nissan Versa that was believed to have been used by the two suspects, who are still on the run.
“This is a cowardly act,” police chief Mark Saunders told reporters as he visited the scene. “This is not a brave moment and in fact, it’s a disgusting moment.”
Police say that a man who was playing with the children was the intended target.
A vehicle had pulled up to the townhouse complex at about 5 p.m. Investigators say the shooter got out and began firing shots, at least seven of them, towards the park area.
The shooter took off with another suspect, the driver of the getaway vehicle. Police have not released a suspect or vehicle description.
Det. Sgt. Jim Gotell says investigators are also looking for the man who was meant to be shot.
“Obviously it’s a horrendous crime and the officers I’m dealing with right now are all kind of in shock,” Gotell said. “It’s not often we see two young girls shot in a public playground as they’re out playing, so it’s a terrible thing.”
Chief Saunders is trying to alleviate any fears that the city is becoming unsafe.
“This is the same thing we go through every summer,” Saunders said. “So let’s be very clear. When we look at our numbers there’s not this tremendous spike (in violence), there hasn’t been.”