WAVE OF KILLINGS I N GTA: "It appears this is a case of individuals coming from one neighbourhood into another and shooting the first person they see.” Female shelter worker identified as victim
Female shelter worker identified as victim in one of two overnight shootings in Toronto
Police have identified a victim in one of two fatal shootings in Toronto early Sunday morning and are appealing to the public for help locating a vehicle they believe was involved. Jenas Nyarko, 31, of Toronto, was sitting in the back of a car with three friends when a car drove by and someone inside fired a single shot at the vehicle, striking her, Det. David Dickinson said in a news conference Sunday afternoon.
On Sunday, June 24, 2018, at 1:56 p.m., police reported to a shooting in the Replin Road and Old Meadow Lane area.
Paramedics received the call for the shooting at 2 a.m. and found Nyarko with life-threatening injuries on Replin Rd., near Allen Rd. and Lawrence Ave. W. She was taken to hospital, where she died. Police have released footage of the shooting in the hopes of identifying any suspects.
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“There’s nothing in Jenas’s past which would indicate that she could be the intended target of a shooting,” said Dickinson. “It would appear this is a case of individuals coming from one neighbourhood into another and shooting the first person they see.” Nyarko immigrated to Canada in 2001 from Ghana. She lived alone and worked at a shelter, according to Dickinson. Police have released video footage and a description of the suspected car, which is described as a 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX sport utility vehicle, silver or grey in colour, with a sunroof. Police have not released descriptions of possible suspects. Toronto police chief Mark Saunders, also at the press conference, said the homicide was “horrific” and had characteristics of street gang subculture. “This is a horrific crime because that could have been anybody,” said Saunders. “I’ve got a huge concern with that — within the last 24 hours we’ve had four people that are victims of homicide right now.”
Jenas Nyarko, 31, was injured in a drive-by shooting early Sunday morning. She later succumbed to her injuries in hospital. (Toronto Police)
Police also showed footage of the car circling the neighbourhood before the shooting. “These thugs that committed this particular act are in no means in any type of culture people that society would be very happy with,” said Saunders.
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The suspects fled the site of the shooting and fired off more shots in the area of Flemington Rd. and Blossomfield Dr. before leaving the neighbourhood, Dickinson said. Nyarko is the 47th homicide victim in Toronto this year. Around the same time Nyarko was shot, paramedics in Etobicoke received a call for a shooting at Lightwood Dr., near Kipling Ave. and Albion Rd. Two men, both in their 20s, were pronounced dead at the scene, police say. The area has been closed for investigation. Toronto has faced a rash of shootings in the past months. At the end of May, Mayor John Tory issued a statement condemning increasing incidents of gun violence. A shooting in early June left the city in shock after two sisters, aged five and nine, were shot and seriously injured in a Scarborough playground. There have been 249 shootings in Toronto this year as of last Sunday, according to Toronto Police statistics. It’s a 19 per cent increase from the same time last year. When asked about the increase Saunders said the change was not “catastrophic” but he “does not like the numbers.” “This is still the safest urban city when you look at our numbers,” said Saunders. “Incredibly safe, but that doesn’t mean we can kick back.” Police are appealing to witnesses or anyone with information to call them or reach out anonymously though CrimeStoppers.
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