Tom Cotton AP
A 20-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after a suspect, who police had initially identified as a woman, was gunned down on a busy downtown Toronto street.
Officers responding to reports of a shooting at around 8 p.m. local time encountered three suspects in a courtyard on Ossington Avenue just east of Queen Street West in Toronto, Canada, near the prestigious York University, according to the Toronto police.
“A female suspect came out of a house and pointed a handgun at the officers. Officers returned fire, striking the female suspect,” Constable Victor Kwong said on local television.
The police said one male and one female have been arrested in connection with the shooting. The male died at the scene. According to local media reports, police said they later found a third suspect hiding in a backyard.
No names have been released, and the two men in custody, both 20 years old, were hospitalized.
Police later charged a 20-year-old with second-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder for being involved in the incident. His charges include assault with a weapon, obstructing a peace officer, and armed robbery. He was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
A number of eyewitnesses on social media told The Root that at least 10 to 15 shots were fired. Officers have not identified the suspect or the victim.
A bystander shared a harrowing video of the aftermath, showing the deceased female suspect on the ground.