More than 100 charges have been laid and 14 more people have been arrested in a brazen shootout in downtown Toronto last November.
Toronto police provided an update on Project Poppie Thursday morning, in relation to a shocking shooting outside of a recording studio on Queen St. W., at Sudbury St.
On Nov. 11, 2024, shortly before 11:30 p.m., three suspects drove up to the studio in a stolen vehicle, police said.
The suspects, who were each armed with a handgun, exited the car and opened fire on the studio, which was full of people attending a birthday party. People inside the studio also returned fire, police said.
14 arrests, 105 charges—our officers are continuing their work on the Nov. 11 Queen Street West shooting. If you're fueling gun violence or carrying illegal firearms, we will stop you.https://t.co/JXU44KEZuf pic.twitter.com/dbxBJXDdvD
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) January 23, 2025
The three suspects outside took cover behind an unmarked police cruiser that had two officers inside. The cruiser was struck by several bullets, police added.
As the suspects attempted to drive away from the scene, their stolen vehicle was hit by another unmarked police car, prompting the suspects to flee on foot.
Police said one of the suspects was caught but the other two remain outstanding.
“This incident was an audacious and reckless exchange of gunfire in downtown Toronto. It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was injured or killed, including innocent civilians and our officers,” Superintendent Paul MacIntyre of Organized Crime Enforcement said in a statement.
During a search of the area and recording studio, officers recovered several firearms that had been tossed by the suspects as they were fleeing the area. Some firearms were even discovered in garbage bins, police said, and some were modified in order to be capable of fully automatic fire.
Several people in the recording studio were taken into custody.
Twenty-three people were initially arrested and eight were charged, but charges were stayed against five people. A 16-year-old boy who was arrested was also charged in a homicide case from April 2024.
Today, police announced 14 more people were arrested and a total of 105 charges were laid. There are nine suspects still outstanding, police said. Police also released surveillance video of the shooting, which was shown during a police press conference.
Project Poppie: Shooting sees 14 Arrests and 105 Charges https://t.co/DtdefYPbkm
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) January 23, 2025
Charges laid include Unauthorized Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm and Discharge Firearm with Intent to Wound or Endanger Life, among many others. A full list of those arrested and the charges laid can be found here.
“Our message to anyone carrying illegal firearms or engaging in gun violence is clear: we will not stop coming after you. The work of the Toronto Police Service doesn’t end when the gunfire stops,” Inspector Paul Krawczyk said in a statement.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2510, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
