Toronto shooting: ‘Terrorist’ attack in Canadian shopping centre

Image copyright Toronto Police Image caption Demetrius Downey, 31, and Josh Littlejohn, 26, were shot dead on Sunday

Two men killed in Toronto’s busy Eaton Centre mall on Sunday were identified as an intellectually disabled man and a man who moved to Canada from England.

Demetrius Junior Downey, 31, and Josh Littlejohn, 26, were targeted in the Toronto Eaton Centre shootings, police say.

About 10 people were wounded, including four who were seriously injured.

Police are investigating whether more than one gunman was involved.

The six-year-old daughter of victim Josh Littlejohn identified her father.

Chyna Littlejohn posted photos on social media of her father, with the caption: “Heaven gained a beautiful angel today. Hold on to your kids like you never loved them before. RIP Josh”.

Image copyright Chyna Littlejohn Image caption Chyna has posted photographs of her father on social media

The pair were known to each other, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters on Monday.

“We know a lot about one of the victims. We know who he is. We’re not looking for anyone else. That victim is gone.”

Image copyright Toronto Police Image caption People gather at the Eaton Centre mall on Monday

There are about 35 people injured in the shootings and 10 are being treated in hospital. Police said they were all in stable condition.

“These types of senseless acts are truly cowardly. They have no place in our community,” Police Commissioner Mark Saunders said.

“We’re going to get to the bottom of this. The deaths and injuries will be fully investigated.”

An Instagram account for a person named Josh Littlejohn has been wiped clean since the attack, but screengrabs have been shared on social media.

Image copyright IG screengrab Image caption The username Josh Littlejohn has been deleted on Instagram

It shows photographs of the man at work, enjoying holidays and writing poetry.

In a post shortly before the shooting he appeared to acknowledge police, saying: “Please don’t shoot. I was just at a friends house and I dont have a car and my phone is dead”.

The seven-floor Eaton Centre is a popular retail spot and is in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Police are still trying to establish whether the shooting is a gang-related incident.

Image copyright City of Toronto Image caption The killer fled the scene after the shooting

What is often seen as one of the safest places in the city, with low crime rates, is now all too familiar to Canadians.

Last year, at least two shootings at the Toronto waterway prompted one teenager to post this chilling message: “Think of the worst-case scenario and don’t go out at night. Err on the side of caution because this city is cursed.”

Tell us what you think

Have you been affected by recent gun crime in Canada? Do you know anyone affected? Let us know by commenting below, on Twitter @bbcglobal or on Facebook.

Leave a Comment