Toronto Raptors parade mayhem: Shots fired, stabbing and commute troubles
On a day of celebration in Toronto for the Raptors NBA victory, police in the city have alerted the public about a shooting at Nathan Phillips Square, with multiple people injured, at the heart of the event.
Toronto Police have confirmed that four victims were shot but do not have life threatening injuries. Three individuals have been arrested and two firearms were recovered.
SHOOTING:
Nathan Phillip's Square
**Update**
-4 victims located
-None of the injuries are life threatening
-3 people arrested
-2 firearms recovered
-Investigators wish any video to assist in investigation
-Please use portal: https://t.co/NGv3aZdlDO
^dh— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) June 17, 2019
In a statement, Toronto Mayor John Tory condemned the attack and thanked officers for their quick response to the shooting during the Toronto Raptors celebration.
“It is disappointing and I’m sure a source of anger for more than just me that anyone would carry a gun and discharge it at what was otherwise a joyous celebration,” the statement read.
My statement on today's shooting. pic.twitter.com/3FI01vhaKV
— John Tory (@JohnTory) June 17, 2019
Police have also confirmed that there were two stabbings near the Eaton Centre, next to Nathan Phillips Square. One was at the entrance of a store and the other was near Bay Street. Officials have not confirmed whether the two stabbings were connected.
STABBING:
Eaton Centre Plaza
-At entrance to store
-Fight with group of men
-Reports of three men stabbed
-None of the injuries are life threatening
-EMS providing assistance#GO1119947
^dh— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) June 17, 2019
STABBING:
Toronto Eaton Centre
-Reports of man stabbed
-Near Bay St
-Injuries more serious
-Officers/EMS en route
-Unknown if associated to other stabbing call#GO1120118
^dh— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) June 17, 2019
Fans at in the area could be seen running from the south side of the square. The incident was announced on stage, causing a brief disruption during the celebration, but speeches continued.
People ducking and hiding behind anything they can find. @globalnewsto pic.twitter.com/iBP8X9f852
— Kamil Karamali (@KamilKaramali) June 17, 2019
.@TorontoMedics transporting several patients to hospital after a shooting in Nathan Phillips Square. Several patients including a @TorontoPolice officer injured during the stampede of people fleeing after the shooting #toronto
— Andrew Collins (@ACollinsPhoto) June 17, 2019
From our position at Nathan Phillips - paramedics loading a woman in her 30s on to a stretcher. Cause or extent of her injury unknown. pic.twitter.com/fmMNfAinor
— Alan Carter (@ACarterglobal) June 17, 2019
A lot of angry people outside the Albert entrance to the Eaton Centre where police and paramedics are responding pic.twitter.com/XPmr7b1aAA
— Jennifer Pagliaro (@jpags) June 17, 2019
SHOOTING AT THE RAPTORS CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE. I RAN TO MY COUSIN’S OFFICE!!!! IT’S CHAOS pic.twitter.com/TQXBEngChf
— RAPTORS ARE NBA CHAMPS (@shamaplan) June 17, 2019
Shooting at the Raptors Championship Parade Downtown... we can’t just have one nice day eh? pic.twitter.com/ndYVx3BKYy
— Brandon Newfield (@bnewfield) June 17, 2019
I’m on the roof of city hall and something is happening. People are running including what looks to be cops and security pic.twitter.com/FEbhw88OqI
— Jennifer Pagliaro (@jpags) June 17, 2019
Warning: bad language. Fans started running on Bay Street. #WeTheNorh pic.twitter.com/VpfOkEV5pz
— Antonella Artuso (@suntooz) June 17, 2019
ETF on scene on Bay Street. pic.twitter.com/JrICv15rpH
— Antonella Artuso (@suntooz) June 17, 2019
Commute disruptions
With thousands of fans in the downtown core trying to catch a glimpse of the Toronto basketball team and hear remarks from high-profile speakers, including John Tory and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, travel in the Toronto area has been severely impacted.
For fans leaving #RaptorParade, please be patient on your commute home. Check signs, @TTCnotices and @GOtransit for travel updates. Fans in Nathan Phillips Square should consider heading east to Parliament or west to Bathurst. #WeTheNorth
— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) June 17, 2019
GO Transit has publicly asked customers to use “extreme caution” while using the service, expecting to run at full capacity during the rush hour commute.
Given the incredible demand this afternoon, our GO service is running at full capacity. If you need to travel in the next few hours, please use extreme caution. Remember, absolutely never cross the tracks or walk on bus driveways; it is extremely dangerous and illegal.
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) June 17, 2019
So, @GOtransit is having a mild freak-out about the “unprecedented afternoon commute” and the “millions of people downtown who will need to get home...” pic.twitter.com/NdFxQKMkuJ
— Simon Houpt (@simonhoupt) June 17, 2019
Hi Waqas, the maximum number of trains and buses are in service for today's commute. Additionally, we have added extra staff to assist customers get to where they need to be safely. Thank you for your patience during this unprecedented event. ^QT
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) June 17, 2019
The Toronto Transit Commission is also facing severe service disruptions and officials are reminding passengers to “be patient and stay safe.”
Crowds are dispersing from the downtown viewing areas. Please watch for TTC updates to facilitate getting home. #WeTheNorthDay #WeTheChampions #WeTheNorth
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) June 17, 2019
As the celebration comes to a close, here are directions to #TTC service near NPS:
Head north or south for subway access – Osgoode, Queen and Dundas stations remain closed.
504 King and Line 2 are running regular east/west service.
Please be patient and stay safe.— Sue Motahedin (@TTCsue) June 17, 2019
Taking the #TTC from downtown?
LINE 1: head North or South for Line 2 access (Osgoode, Queen, and Dundas stations are closed but trains will bypass to continue routes)
504 KING: regular service is resuming. You can connect to Line 2 DUNDAS WEST or BROADVIEW STATIONS— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) June 17, 2019
