A suspect has been arrested after shots were fired at a home near Teston Rd. and Bathurst St. in Vaughan. CP24’s Courtney Heels reports.
An shooting incident outside a home in Vaughan overnight is believed to be connected to at least two other shootings in the city over the weekend, York Regional Police confirmed Wednesday.
Officers on patrol near Teston Road and Bathurst Street were quick to respond to the sound of gunshots outside a home near Lady Angela Lane at around 2:25 a.m., Const. Lisa Moskaluk told reporters at the scene on Wednesday.
“Due to the recent violence in Vaughan, York Regional Police has increased police patrols and presence in neighbourhoods and we were able to respond quickly,” she said.
“Police attempted to contain the suspect vehicle and after a short foot pursuit with the assistance of (the K9 unit), the suspect was arrested.”
No one was injured in the shooting and Moskaluk confirmed that the suspect, identified as a 23-year-old Innisfil resident, suffered only minor injuries during the arrest.
He faces firearm-related offences, as well as one count of dangerous operation of a motor-vehicle, and one count of possession of property obtained by crime.
“I want to make it clear, the address of today’s incident was the intended target, not the resident,” Moskaluk said.
The house was unoccupied at the time of the shooting, she said.
Moskaluk said the home was also the target of a break-in just one day earlier.
She noted that the shooting is believed to be connected to two other similar incidents in Vaughan over the weekend.
“A third incident from this weekend is being considered as a dark Honda Civic was observed in all three of those incidents,” Moskaluk added.
It is unclear if the suspect arrested in Wednesday’s shooting was involved in any of the other incidents, she added.
In a statement released Wednesday, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca said he is “deeply disturbed” by the incident early Wednesday morning.
“Even more, I am thankful no one got hurt. Thank you to York Regional Police for their quick response and arrest of the suspect already today,” he wrote.
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Del Duca said the recent violence has left the residents of the city “anxious,” “scared,” and “angry.”
“… they are looking for political leaders at every level to step up and do more to make sure that a clear message is sent to the criminals,” Del Duca said.
“Things have changed… That’s why we need tougher laws. That’s why we need real bail conditions. We need these criminals, these scumbags, off of our streets and behind bars where they belong.”