Three adults dead in shooting in north Toronto, daycare cleared

TORONTO — Three adults died in the lobby of an office space in north Toronto on Monday after police responded to reports of gunshots in an area near a school and a daycare.

Investigators said they were called to the area of Don Mills and Mallard roads shortly before 3:30 p.m. and found three people with unknown injuries. They publicly confirmed the deaths around 5 p.m.

An independent all-boys Catholic elementary school was placed in lockdown due to the investigation and a nearby daycare was cleared by late afternoon.

Relieved parents hugged their children tight after they were reunited just outside the police tape at the daycare.

One parent said staff had reached out and told them to come pick up their kids early.

Earlier in the afternoon, a supervisor told the crowd of parents that everyone inside was safe.

Police said Toronto Transit Commission buses were brought in to shelter children from the daycare and school as they waited for caregivers to pick them up.

A large police presence remained in the area by late afternoon, and the force said to expect delays and closures.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2024.

The Canadian Press