Police have released surveillance camera footage of three suspects wanted in connection with a deadly shooting outside a busy Etobicoke community centre last month.
Neeko Mitchell, 25, was shot numerous times as he stood in front of the North Kipling Community Centre near Kipling and Finch avenues on Nov. 24.
According to Det. Sgt. Brian Borg, the shooting took place “minutes after” Mitchell arrived at the community centre to watch his brother play in a community basketball tournament known as “Jam Rock 9.”
“There is absolutely no doubt that this was a targeted shooting and that Neeko Mitchell was the target of that shooting,” Borg told reporters Wednesday morning. “He was shot numerous times and he didn’t have a chance of surviving that night.”
Borg said that a “significant amount” of the shooting was captured by surveillance cameras that were installed after another homicide at the community centre several years ago,
According to Borg, the footage shows numerous eyewitnesses to the shooting, however, “very few” of them have spoken with police to date.
“The video shows many eyewitnesses who were there that night and saw what occurred and I am appealing to those people to call the homicide squad,” he said. “In considering whether to call, I would like you to think about this. Neeko Mitchell was shot numerous times with high-velocity ammunition, none of which remained in his body. Considering that there were a number of people standing in the immediate area of the shooting we are very fortunate that nobody else was shot. As well, video shows a man and a young toddler standing within feet of where the shooting occurred.”
Mitchell did not have a criminal record, but was known to police, according to Borg.
The motive behind the shooting is not immediately known.
“It probably doesn’t have anything to do with him being at the basketball game, but whether it has to do with turf or gangs is certainly something we are looking at,” Borg said.
Remember for instant breaking news follow @cp24 on Twitter.
