TORONTO, ON — One Dead, Five Injured in Mass Shooting in Lawrence Heights Neighbourhood

Tragedy struck the Lawrence Heights community on Tuesday evening, June 3, 2025, when gunfire erupted in a residential area, leaving one man dead and five others injured. The incident has prompted a large-scale investigation and a renewed outcry over gun violence in Toronto’s urban communities.

According to Toronto police, emergency services were called to the area of Flemington Road and Zachary Court — near Ranee Avenue and Allen Road — around 8:30 p.m. Multiple 911 calls reported the sound of gunshots, prompting a rapid response from police, paramedics, and fire crews.

When first responders arrived at the scene, they discovered a chaotic and harrowing scene: six individuals suffering from various gunshot wounds, sprawled across the vicinity of a residential building. Immediate medical attention was provided, and all victims were rushed to nearby hospitals. Tragically, one of the victims — a man believed to be in his 20s — succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital.

Toronto Paramedic Services confirmed that the five surviving victims were all males ranging in age from late teens to early 30s. Their injuries range from serious to critical, but as of Wednesday morning, all were reported to be in stable condition and receiving treatment.

The area was quickly cordoned off as police established a large crime scene. Forensic teams combed through the location for shell casings, ballistic evidence, and surveillance footage. Officers went door-to-door seeking eyewitness accounts while detectives reviewed footage from nearby security cameras in hopes of identifying the shooter or shooters.

Speaking at a late-night press conference, Duty Inspector Jeff Bangild said the investigation is in its early stages, and no suspects have yet been arrested. “This is a brazen and violent attack that took place in a densely populated residential neighbourhood. We are committed to finding out who is responsible and holding them accountable,” Bangild said. He also confirmed that a firearm was recovered at the scene, but declined to provide further details.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and police have not confirmed whether the victims were targeted or if this was a random act of violence. Investigators are exploring possible connections to ongoing gang activity in the area, which has seen periodic flare-ups in gun violence over the past several years.

News of the shooting sent shockwaves through the Lawrence Heights community, often referred to as “The Jungle,” an area historically affected by socioeconomic challenges but also known for its close-knit residents. Community members gathered outside the crime scene Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, expressing grief, anger, and fear over the incident.

“I heard the shots — it was like fireworks, one after another,” said resident Maria Gonzalez, who lives two buildings away from the shooting. “I ran to check on my kids. This shouldn’t be happening. Not here, not anywhere.”

Local leaders are calling for both justice and change. Councillor Josh Matlow, who represents the area, expressed condolences to the victims and their families and urged all levels of government to invest more in community-based violence prevention programs.

“This is not just a policing issue,” Matlow said. “We need long-term investments in education, youth mentorship, mental health services, and affordable housing. That’s how we break the cycle of violence.”

Toronto Police are asking anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting, or who may have dashcam or surveillance footage, to contact investigators. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers.

As the investigation continues, the city mourns yet another life lost to gun violence — and braces for the tough questions and conversations that follow. For now, a family grieves, a community reels, and a city once again confronts the urgent need to make its streets safer for everyone.