Police Identify Man Fatally Shot in SUV Outside North York Apartment Building
Toronto police have identified Lawrence Errol Joel John, 28, as the man who was fatally shot while sitting inside a vehicle outside a North York apartment building early Tuesday morning.
Emergency crews were called to San Romanoway near Finch Avenue West and Jane Street shortly before 6:30 a.m. after reports of multiple gunshots in the area, Toronto police Const. David Hopkinson told CBC Toronto.
👉 Original source: Police ID man fatally shot in SUV outside North York apartment building
Shooting Outside Apartment Building
Investigators say John and a female passenger were inside a dark-coloured SUV parked outside the building when they were approached by a group of people who opened fire before fleeing the scene.
John was struck multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene. The female passenger was not physically injured. Witnesses reported seeing several suspects run from the area, though police have not released descriptions.
Photos from the scene showed a Mazda SUV with its driver-side window shattered and broken glass scattered across the driveway of the apartment complex.
One of Five Shootings Reported That Day
John’s death was one of five separate shooting incidents reported across Toronto on the same day, underscoring ongoing concerns about gun violence in the city.
Earlier that morning, around 1:30 a.m., a man was shot multiple times in the Crittenden Square and Crow Trail area of Scarborough, nearly five hours before the North York shooting.
Later in the morning, around 10 a.m., witnesses heard gunshots in a Midtown laneway near Bathurst Street and St. Clair Avenue West. Bystanders immediately stepped in to provide first aid and CPR until paramedics arrived. The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
In the afternoon, police arrested a suspect in connection with another shooting that seriously injured a teenage boy in North York. A second suspect remains at large and is believed to be armed and dangerous. Nearly four hours later, another man was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition following a shooting near Keele Street and Ingram Drive.
Toronto’s 94th Homicide of 2018
John’s killing marked Toronto’s 94th homicide of 2018, surpassing the city’s previous record of 89 homicides set in 1991. Police statistics showed that gun-related deaths accounted for more than half of all homicides that year.
Despite police seizing close to 900 firearms from the streets, shootings continued to occur, prompting renewed calls for prevention and community-based solutions.
The Importance of CPR and Emergency Preparedness
Several of the day’s incidents involved bystanders providing immediate first aid and CPR, actions that can be critical in stabilizing victims until professional help arrives. While not every outcome can be changed, early intervention can significantly improve survival chances in medical emergencies.
Learning life-saving skills such as CPR and AED use can empower everyday people to respond confidently in emergencies. Calgary residents interested in building these skills can learn more about available CPR and AED training courses through Calgary First Aid.
👉 Original source: CBC News – Police ID man fatally shot in SUV outside North York apartment building
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According to a report by CBC News, the shooting was one of five firearm-related incidents reported across Toronto that day.
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