Toronto police are urging people involved in the city's sex-trade industry to be careful and take precautions after a woman who worked as a prostitute was fatally shot earlier this week.
Det. Sgt. Brian Borg issued the warning at a news conference Thursday because homicide detectives don't know if Leanne Freeman's involvement in the high-risk lifestyle has anything to do with her death.
"I cannot rule it out. Simply put, it's too early to say," Borg told reporters.
Borg was careful in how he delivered the warning, telling people in the sex industry to take extra care and precautions to protect themselves.
Investigators seeking tips
Police want to hear from people who have information about Freeman's activities and whereabouts before the 23 year old was found in the middle of a dark, deserted, street in a secluded section of the Port Lands on Tuesday at about 1 a.m.
Borg said Freeman lived a transient lifestyle, and moved back to Toronto from Winnipeg about three months ago after living in Manitoba and all over Ontario.
He said a person driving along Unwin Avenue discovered Freeman, who was still alive, in the middle of the street during a period of heavy rain.
The young woman, also known as Amanda Freeman, was rushed to St. Michael's Hospital via an emergency run, but she died of her injuries shortly after 2:20 a.m., Borg said.
He said police don't know if the isolated area was picked as a location for the homicide, or if a vehicle was involved, although it is "reasonable" to think one was.
Unaware Freeman had been shot, the person who found her called 911 and reported the incident as a collision because she was found on the street.
Police learned Freeman suffered a gunshot wound when she arrived in hospital and underwent emergency medical treatment.
Police trying to identify suspect
Homicide detectives have received plenty of tips and are pursuing leads, but police are still trying to confirm the circumstances of the slaying and identify the person or people who killed Freeman.
No one has been charged.
Freeman was known to Toronto police, although she doesn't have a criminal record, Borg said.
She was also known to police in Winnipeg, where she was facing outstanding charges at the time of her death.
Earlier this year, Freeman was charged with drug possession, possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime, a Manitoba court official told CP24.com.
A warrant was issued in mid-August after Freeman failed to show up in court.
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call detectives at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
