Toronto shooting rampage leaves 2 dead, 12 hurt; gunman dead after firing into restaurants

Usually police rule out terrorism before they have any chance to make a genuine and thorough investigation, so for terrorism not to be ruled out in this case is extremely significant. This may or may not be jihad terrorism, but the killing of apparently random people is a common jihadi modus operandi. We can only hope that Canadian investigators will be forthcoming about what they discover during their investigation, and not try to obscure indications that this was jihad terror — if it was — as we have seen authorities do so many times in the past.

“Toronto shooting rampage leaves 2 dead, 12 hurt; gunman dead after firing into restaurants,” by Edmund DeMarche and Travis Fedschun, Fox News, July 23, 2018:

Terrorism was not being ruled out as a motive after a gunman fired into packed Toronto restaurants and cafes Sunday, killing two people and injuring 12 others before dying in a gun battle with police, officials said.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit said in a news release two people were killed by a man who “fired shots at groups of people several times” while walking along Danforth Avenue.

Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders said cops were investigating “every possible motive, including terrorism.” Saunders said a young woman was among the dead, and a 9-year-old girl was critically injured in the shooting.

“I’m looking at every single possible motive for this,” the Canadian top cop told reporters. “When you have this many people struck by gunfire, it’s a grave concern.”

Saunders said it was not clear if the gunman was killed by police or if he killed himself. The SIU said the suspected gunman, a 29-year-old man, was located by police on Bowden Street and “an exchange of gunfire took place.” The man fled the area and was located, deceased, on Danforth Avenue, according to the SIU.

Authorities received a call shortly after 10 p.m. about the incident in Toronto’s Greektown neighborhood, a lively residential area with crowded Greek restaurants and cafes.

Witnesses reported hearing many shots and described the suspect walking past restaurants and cafes and patios on both sides of the street and firing into them.

John Tulloch told the Canadian Press he and his brother had just gotten out of their car when he heard about 20 to 30 gunshots.

“We just ran. We saw people starting to run, so we just ran,” he said.

A video from one witness shows a man dressed in black clothes and a black hat walking quickly and firing three shots from the sidewalk into at least one shop or restaurant. The condition of the other victims was not known yet, police spokesman Mark Pugash said.

Another witness to the rampage told CP24 he was standing 10 to 15 feet away from the alleged gunman.

“He looked around 35, long hair, black hat. He had a dark shirt with long sleeves rolled up and black pants,” the man told the television station. “He was skinny, but he had this horrible look in his face, like he was under the influence or something.”…

Toronto Councilor Paula Fletcher told CP24 she was told the gunman was emotionally disturbed.

“It’s not gang related. It looks like someone who is very disturbed,” Fletcher said.