Toronto police say there has been a 130 per cent increase in shootings so far this year compared to 2023, according to police data.
This comes following a double shooting in the Weston neighbourhood that left two men dead and a shooting in the entertainment district that left three people injured on Tuesday morning.
Last week, there were also two shootings in the North York community in the span of 24 hours.
A 16-year-old teen was shot in the face and sent to hospital, meanwhile a 39-year-old father of four named Adu Boakye was shot and killed while walking to a bus stop at Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue. Last Saturday, a memorial took place at the Driftwood Community Centre to honour his life.
Based on police data, there have been a total of 69 shootings, 18 injuries and two deaths to date so far this year.
Police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer told Now Toronto that although the number of shootings are up year-over-year, the number of shootings in the city have gone down over the past five years.
“…In general, shooting incidents in Toronto have been decreasing since 2019, and the service’s overall solve rates have increased due to the hard work of our officers, and our partner agencies across the GTA. Addressing gang-related violence remains a priority and we continue to work with agencies at all levels to identify root causes,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.
She says the service’s Gang Prevention Task Force is working with youth, local neighbourhoods, and community agencies to prevent and suppress gun violence and gang activity.
In addition, toronto police arealso working with partner law enforcement agencies in Canada and the United States to interrupt the flow of guns coming over the border and to stop trafficking within the GTA.
In response to the uptick in shootings, Founder of Zero Gun Violence Movement Louis March told Now Toronto there needs to be more sharing of information between key stakeholders for a collaborative response and early intervention from government, social services, and community organizations.
March says social and economic investments are also needed in communities that are struggling with poverty and lack of appropriate services to get the illegal guns off the streets.
He adds that the city needs to activate its SafeTO Implementation plan which includes seven goals including reducing harm and victimization through mental health services and reducing gun violence, among others.
