Several gunshots fired at Sherway Gardens and mall has been evacuated

ETOBICOKE, ON, August 13, 2021 – Eyewitnesses say as many as five or six gunshots were fired in an altercation between two groups of people inside Sherway Gardens about 2:40 pm today. The mall was evacuated and placed under lockdown.

According Police Chief James Ramer there was a physical conflict between two groups of people and a gun was fired several times by one person. Police are working on a few leads but no arrests have been made at this time.

“The reality is though we’re going to find them shortly, said Chief Ramer. “This mall has outstanding video, lots of witnesses, I suspect that we’ll see that we’ll make some arrests soon.”

The gunfire took place in the north side of the mall located in Etobicoke at the 427 and West Mall south of the Queensway. The altercation took place in the vicinity of Starbucks, and there is evidence of an injury but so far no injuries have been reported at this time.

Sherway Gardens will remain closed for the rest of the day on Friday.

Toronto Police Operations first reported the incident and there is evidence that some injuries may have been sustained by some of the people involved in the altercation. A heavy police presence is on the scene from both Toronto and Peel.

One witness, a store owner said patrons were taking cover behind counters and many were ushered out the back doors to escape to safety outside of the mall.

Shortly after the shots were fired an announcement came over the mall’s public address system to evacuate the building.

Others posted on social media that they were incredibly frightened and ran to the exits, where they felt safe once getting outside.

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