4 injured, 3 arrested in shooting at Nathan Phillips Square during Raptors fan rally
Posted Jun 17, 2019 2:06 pm.
Last Updated Jun 17, 2019 5:37 pm.
TORONTO – Police say four people have been injured and three others are in custody following a shooting in Nathan Phillips Square during the Raptors NBA Championship fan rally.
Shots were heard near Bay and Albert Streets at the southeast corner of the square shortly before 4 p.m.
The injuries of all victims are serious, but non-life threatening. Three suspects were arrested soon after the shooting.
One suspect was arrested on the south side of Queen Street by Albert Street. Several officers reportedly immobilized the suspect and seized a pistol.
Two other suspects were also arrested and a second firearm was recovered.
Police Chief Mark Saunders says the arrests were made moments after the shooting.
“With all the resources that were here, the apprehensions were done incredibly quickly after the incident itself,” he said, adding that there were over a million people present and witnesses should come forward.
Raptors play-by-play announcer Matt Devlin, speaking from the stage, confirmed there was an emergency taking place and urged fans to stay calm as the festivities were briefly suspended.
The events quickly resumed even as dozens of fans ran in several directions at one end of the square.
WATCH: Crowd panics after reports of gunshots at Nathan Phillips Square during Raptors fan rally
Raptors play-by-play announcer Matt Devlin, speaking from the stage, confirmed there was an emergency taking place and urged fans to stay calm as the festivities were briefly suspended.
The events quickly resumed even as dozens of fans ran in several directions at one end of the square.
Eyewitnesses say word of the shooting sent a section of the crowd into a stampede, with people screaming and hiding in nearby bushes. They say children in strollers were bowled over as frantic parents tried to shield them
Some in the crowd said they hadn’t heard any shots but rushed from the area as others panicked.
WATCH: Witness describes chaos after reports of shots fired at Raptors fan rally
Mike Mudidi, a fan attending the event, said he was enjoying the celebrations when he heard screams behind him that someone had pulled out a gun. He says he grabbed his buddies’ hands and ran.
Some who stayed behind huddled near pillars in Nathan Phillips Square even as the team and several dignitaries — including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — remained on stage. The ceremony wrapped up a short time later.
Several people were reportedly transported to hospital including a police officer who was caught in the stampede.
Panic spread to the Eaton Centre as the shots were heard through the Albert Street entrance and frightened people were seen running in the mall and outside, at Yonge-Dundas Square.
WATCH: Crowd runs away from Eaton Centre
An investigation is ongoing.
