Toronto police have unveiled disturbing video footage of a chaotic gun battle that took place outside a recording studio near Queen Street West and Sudbury Street on November 11. The footage, released during a press conference on Thursday, shows suspects handling firearms “like props at a party” before recklessly firing over 100 shots into the street.
The incident began around 11:20 p.m. when three occupants of a stolen vehicle entered a grocery store parking lot and opened fire on a group attending a nearby birthday party. What followed was a brazen exchange of gunfire between two groups, with bullets narrowly missing civilians and two police officers in an unmarked cruiser parked nearby.
“This was an audacious and reckless act of violence in downtown Toronto,” said Supt. Paul MacIntyre of the Organized Crime Enforcement Unit. “It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was injured or killed, including our officers and innocent bystanders.”
The investigation, dubbed Project Poppie, has led to 105 charges against 22 individuals so far, with 14 new arrests announced Thursday. Police are still searching for nine suspects and confirmed that one of those arrested is a 16-year-old boy already facing a second-degree murder charge in a separate case.
Video evidence released by the police shows suspects inside the recording studio casually handling firearms, dancing, and posturing with the weapons in a celebratory manner before the gunfight erupted. “This reckless behavior escalated into chaos, with suspects indiscriminately firing bullets into the street,” said Insp. Paul Krawczyk of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force. “Their actions show a complete disregard for human life and highlight the dangers they pose to the community.”
Toronto police have dedicated a special task force to this investigation as they continue to pursue those involved and address the alarming increase in gun violence in the city.