The man, who was shot 13 times after gesturing at a speeding car, is fighting for his life, police say
A man walking his dog north of Toronto early Sunday was shot 13 times in a “callous act of violence” after gesturing at a speeding vehicle, York Regional Police say.
The 65-year-old man is now in critical condition in hospital fighting for his life, and the attack has left the small community where he lives stunned.
Police are looking for two people in connection with the car shooting that took place in King Township, near the town of Schomberg, west of Newmarket. Officials were alerted at 8:40 a.m
York Regional Police spokesman Insp. Jim Killby said officers were appalled by the shooting.
“We as a police organization are stunned by this callous act of violence,” Killby told reporters at a Tuesday news conference.
“It was a cowardly act, a cowardly, violent act against a victim who did nothing but enjoy the morning and walk their dog in the area.”
CLOCK | Police release video of suspicious vehicle shooting from a passing car:
According to Killby, the man was walking his dog on Center Street between Rebellion Way and Church Street when he saw a vehicle moving at high speed.
The vehicle passed him and he gestured “innocent” and shook his head. The area, known as Lloydtown, is a residential and rural area, Killby said.
Police said the driver sped past him, then turned and drove toward the man.
“The passenger shot him multiple times with a firearm, leaving him in critical condition,” Killby said.
Police would not say how many of the shots actually hit the victim.
“This is attempted murder”
“This was not a simple case of someone being cut off. This was a person who rolled down their window and fired 13 shots at a person walking down a street,” he said.
“It’s not a street hype. This is attempted murder. And our victim is lucky to be alive.”
The suspects then fled the scene in the vehicle and were last seen heading west. Paramedics arrived and took the man to the hospital. The police have not yet been able to speak to the man.
Sagittarius is described as a “light, brown-skinned, tan male.”
According to police, the vehicle is a white SUV, possibly a four-door Lexus RX350. Officers secured video of the vehicle. Officers were told the suspects may have been driving around the area before the shooting, he added.
Killby added, “Unfortunately, this is just another example of the illegal firearm possession that is occurring in the community and the violent acts committed with these firearms that are plaguing our communities.”
Police are appealing to anyone with surveillance or dashboard camera video from February 12 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 9am in the area to call them.
“Outrageous” thefts
Meanwhile, people in Schomberg, a community of around 3,000 people, are shocked.
Richard Fowle, a local resident, said he was giving police video of a white Lexus that matched the description of the vehicle investigators are looking for. He said the pictures were from February 7 and the vehicle’s occupants attempted to break into cars around 3am. It is up to the police to determine whether the video has any connection, he added.
Fowle said there has been a recent spate of “brazen” thefts from vehicles in the community. However, the shooting shook the city, he added.
“Obviously this is worrying. You don’t expect that in an area like this. Hope this isn’t a sign of the times. Something like that is obviously unusual here,” he said.
He said Schomberg is a “fabulous” town where most people know their neighbors.
“Most people move to these areas because they want that sense of community. It’s a small town, a sense of community within GTA.”
