2 dead, 19 injured in Toronto block party shooting

In an apparent disupte left a teenage girl and a young male dead in a Toronto east end block party. 19 others others were injured. Among the injured was an infant in a shooting incident that Toronto's Police Chief characterized as the worst incident he had seen in 35 years as a police officer.

"This is a tremendously frightening and tragic event for everyone. Tonight’s event is shocking to every Torontonian, it will be shocking to all of Canada because of the number of the people injured. The level of violence is something we have never experienced." said Blair.

Approximately 200 people attended the block party. The incident occurred at approximately 11 pm and according to authorities more than one gun was involved. Blair said that the incident happened in a neighbourhood that has never experienced this level of violence before.

16 ambulances, some from the surrounding regions, and the Toronto EMS bus responded to the scene to transport victims , some of whom fled the immediate area.

Paramedics assessed patients and whisked them away to Sunnybrook, St. Michaels and Scarborough hospitals, including the Toronto Hospital for sick children. Residents frantically looked for loved ones. Most of the residents were not willing to talk.

“This is unique,” Toronto EMS Deputy Chief Garrie Wright said of mayhem medics faced. “But our paramedics are highly trained. They train for incidents just like this.”

Police have one person of interest in custody.

This year has been a particularly bloody year, with some 140 shootings reported as of July 16th. This is an increase of 32% compared to the same period last year. 16 people had been killed in gun-related homicides on the streets of Toronto since January 1, compared to 14 people at the same time last year.

Police are on the scene this morning, including homicide squad, intelligence unit, as well as the guns and gangs unit. One gun was found on the scene.