Homicide detectives say they believe that a young man who was shot dead in Bendale last night may have been ambushed by people who were lying in wait for him.

A resident found the 21-year-old victim lying on a sidewalk along Rushley Drive near Lawrence Avenue and Brimley Road at around 10:15 p.m.

Paramedics initially said that the man was conscious and breathing on scene, however he was pronounced dead sometime after arriving at hospital.

He has since been identified by police as 21-year-old Kevaughn Morgan.

“This shooting was an ambush-style attack,” Det. Paul Worden told reporters Friday. “The shooter was lying in wait for the deceased and began shooting without warning and without any prior communication. For this reason we believe the suspect may have been following the deceased or had him under surveillance prior to the shooting.”

Worden said the shots came from a nearby parkette.

“We believe he was hiding somewhere in the parkette. At that time of night it was quite dark and the lighting is not good in that area,” Worden said. “It would be difficult to see somebody.”

The resident who found Morgan, identified as Alex, told CP24 that he heard two loud bangs and observed “two guys running across the street while holding up their pants” at the time of the shooting.

The resident said he initially didn’t recognize the noise as gunshots but decided to check it out anyway, at which point he found the victim and called 911.

“He seemed like he was passing out. He wasn’t breathing and his eyes just started to close. He just seemed gone,” the man said.

Morgan lived in the area and had been on his way to visit a friend at the time of the shooting, Worden said.

Witnesses told police they saw one or two suspects flee southbound on Marcos Boulevard, from Lawrence Avenue East, following the shooting.

Witnesses also reported hearing anywhere from two to five shots fired, Worden said.

“This was a cowardly attack that took place in a highly populated residential neighbourhood,” Worden said. “As tragic as these results were, it could have been worse if any other members of the community were struck by any of the fired shots.”

Worden said police believe that Morgan’s friends may have information about why he was targeted and are appealing for those friends to come forward. 

Investigators are also asking area residents who may have surveillance footage from 9:45 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. last night, particularly those who live on Marcos Boulevard, to review it to see if it shows the suspect or suspects.

One of the suspects is described as being black, between, 20 and 25 years of age. He stands around six feet and has a medium build, with short dark hair. He was wearing gray or light-colour long track pants, a gray or white striped shirt and white running shoes.

Witnesses were not able to provide a clear description of the second possible suspect, Worden said.

Police are asking anyone with information about Morgan’s whereabouts from noon on yesterday, or anyone who has any other information about the shooting, to call investigators at 416-808-7400 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).