Toronto police have charged a 19-year-old man with a firearm offence in Monday night’s deadly shootout at a crowded community barbecue in Scarborough.
Police said Toronto resident Nahom Tsegazab, who remains in hospital after being wounded in the exchange of gunfire, is charged with a count of reckless discharge of a firearm.
The charge is in relation to the victims who were wounded by gunfire, said police spokeswoman Const. Wendy Drummond.
Detectives continue to investigate the double homicide as they attempt to lay additional charges.
After police announced the charge, Chief Bill Blair told CP24 police are still concerned about the possibility of further violence.
“We’re doing everything we can to prevent it and we’re working very closely with a lot of our community partners,” Blair said.
Additional officers have been assigned to the Danzig Street area.
Two people - 14-year-old Shyanne Charles and 23-year-old Joshua Yasay - were killed and more than 20 were wounded when gunfire erupted during the barbecue at a TCHC complex near Morningside Avenue and Lawrence Avenue East.
Meanwhile, the homicide squad has set up a website to allow people who were at the block party to upload videos or photos.
Investigators are encouraging people to provide their name and other personal details, but they are not mandatory, police said in a news release.
Anyone with information is asked to call Det.-Sgt. Graham Gibson at 416-808-7405 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers’ website or mobile app, or by texting “TOR” and the message to CRIMES (274637).
Police alone can't stop gun violence: community leaders, politicians
Four people have been shot and killed in Toronto in three days this week, spurring a debate about how to prevent violent crime.
Community leaders and politicians said tougher laws and increased police presence alone won't curb the wave of violence.
"I think we need to take a pause and ask ourselves what more we might do," Premier Dalton McGuinty said during a news conference in Ottawa. "I don't pretend to have any quick and easy answer for you, and I don't know anybody who does."
McGuinty is scheduled to visit the East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club on Galloway Road on Friday to meet with local community leaders who are involved with violence prevention and youth engagement, according to his office.
After that, McGuinty will meet with Mayor Rob Ford and police Chief Bill Blair on Monday to discuss crime-prevention measures.
Community leaders insisted it is imperative they be part of the bigger conversation about gun violence in Canada's largest city.
Leaders from the African-Canadian community are asking to be included in the meeting.
Margaret Parsons with the African Canadian Legal Clinic said too many black youth are dying as a result of gun violence and community-building - not increased policing - is the answer.
Some people who live near the scene of Monday's shootings have expressed frustrations that it took a hail of bullets to draw attention to their struggles.
At the same time, authorities vowed to track down those responsible for the brazen public shootout.
With files from CP24's Cristina Tenaglia and The Canadian Press
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