A quiet Thursday night in downtown Toronto shattered as a woman in her thirties became the victim of a shooting. Police responded to the intersection of Mutual and Queen Streets East just before 10 p.m., finding her wounded and in need of urgent medical attention.
The victim was swiftly transported to a local hospital, where doctors determined her injuries, while serious, were not life-threatening. She is now recovering, but the incident has left a community shaken and seeking answers.
Investigators are searching for a suspect described as a Black male, approximately 5-foot-6 with a slender build. He was last seen wearing a white shirt, a grey hooded sweater, black pants, and black shoes, and may have escaped in a vehicle.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a man already facing charges for a previous robbery is now accused of another armed hold-up. The latest crime occurred Wednesday evening at a convenience store in Ajax, Ontario.
According to Durham Regional Police, the suspect entered the store on Harwood Avenue South and brandished a knife at an employee, demanding goods. He then fled with an undisclosed amount of merchandise, leaving no one physically harmed.
Officers quickly apprehended the suspect nearby without incident. Leroy Marufu, 26, now faces a multitude of charges, including robbery with a weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon, and possession of illegal substances.
Marufu was already out on bail related to a prior commercial robbery, raising questions about the conditions of his release. He is currently awaiting a bail hearing as the investigation continues.
Both investigations remain active, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The Toronto Police can be reached at 416-808-2222, while Durham Regional Police request information be directed to 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5355.
