TORONTO - Toronto Police say a 25-year-old man has died as a result of a shooting at the Eaton's Centre in the city's downtown core.
Police Chief Bill Blair says the victim appears to have been the target, but that a lot of by standers were also caught in the gun fire. “It would appear that there was a very targeted shooting on one individual," Blair said.
Earlier Const. Victor Kwong from Toronto Police said the person who died was found without vital signs at the scene. Kwong says a total of eight victims have been identified as a result of incident with took place just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the mall's food court.
One male, 20-years-old, is in critical condition. A 13-year-old boy is also in critical condition. A 30-year-old pregnant woman was taken to hospital and she is currently in labour. Police say she was knocked down during the rush. Two other females and one male are in serious condition. Police did not provide their age to reporters.
Mayor Rob Ford, who went to the scene, says his thoughts are with the victims and their families of the crime and thanked the emergency crews who responded.
"I would like to thank all members of the Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services, Emergency Medical Services and City staff for their outstanding teamwork this evening."
Kwong says the shooter has not been caught and that police still know very little about what happened. The shooting sparked panic in the mall which was packed with weekend shoppers. The centre was evacuated and roads around the mall were closed off.
Anybody with information is encouraged to contact police at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
© The Canadian Press, 2012