A manhunt is underway in Toronto after three masked gunman opened fire at a pub celebrating its grand opening, injuring 12 people in a brazen mass shooting that left “blood all over the floor,” according to local police.
The 10:40 p.m. attack sent pubgoers ducking for cover and falling on the floor, with some running into the basement to hide.
Toronto Police said they were searching for three male suspects in a shooting at a pub. AP
At least 12 people were injured in a shooting at a pub in Toronto and the suspect remained at large, police said early on Saturday. Toronto Star via Getty Images
“They opened fire indiscriminately on the people sitting inside the bar,” said Toronto Police Service Superintendant Paul MacIntyre, Toronto’s CTV News reported.
“It was a lot of popping, probably 20 plus. It was just like ‘pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop.’ It just wouldn’t stop,” one bar patron told the Toronto Star. “I hit the deck.”
Hours after the attack, the three male gunmen remained on the lam. One was armed with an assault rifle and the other two had handguns. Police said at least one suspect, wearing a black balaclava, was seen fleeing the scene in a silver car.
According to the police’s post on X, none of the injuries were life threatening, and six of those injured had gunshot wounds. AP“When you walk in, it’s kind of eerie. The drinks are still on the table. The food is still on the table. People’s purses, shoes are still in there,” said MacIntyre.
The motive for the shooting is still unclear, as is whether the pub was specifically targeted. It was the pub’s first night in operation.
Toronto Police investigate a shooting at the Piper Arms Pub near the Scarborough Town Centre in Toronto on Saturday. AP“I can tell you this was a brazen and reckless act of violence,” said MacIntyre. “These guys just looked at the ground and opened fire.”
Six victims sustained gunshot wounds — mostly in the arms and legs, CTV reported — and the others were injured by flying broken glass.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the attack a “brazen act of violence that will not be tolerated” in a post on X. “The Toronto Police Service has my full support as they bring those responsible to justice.”
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