Citing ‘total disregard for life,’ Toronto police concerned over shootings in Rexdale as they name homicide victim

“Although he does not live in immediate neighbourhood, he does have ties to the neighbourhood,” homicide Det. Jeff Tavares told a news conference Friday.

Tavares would not specify what the ties were, only that Phoenix was visiting a friend at the time of the shooting.

Phoenix and a woman were walking towards the plaza at around 11:30 p.m. when a vehicle approached them, Tavares said. Surveillance video showed that shots were fired at Phoenix after a brief interaction, the detective said.

There are two or more suspects, along with the driver of the vehicle.

The video footage has no audio, Tavares said, so it’s not known if there was a conversation between any of the parties.

No motive is known at this time, he said.

Police are looking for a light-coloured, four-door sedan.

There’s a “great deal” of concern within the community, given the number of shootings that have occurred in the area, said Supt. Ron Taverner, who noted that there were three in northwest Toronto on Tuesday.

Police stats from last week show that three people were shot and killed this month in 23 Division, which includes the area of the latest homicide. There have been five people shot and killed this year in the division, and 35 shootings overall.

“There is a great sense of uncertainty and (of) not being safe, not being allowed to have your children out,” Taverner said. “We’re hearing that a great deal from community members within the past couple of days.”

Taverner said this is “unprecedented” in his opinion.

“This is very concerning and very frustrating for police as well as the whole community, when we see these individuals who are perpetrating these crimes, who have total disregard for life, for innocent people’s lives,” Taverner said.

There is no known connection to any of the other shootings, which makes it more troubling, Taverner said.

“That means there’s more people out there with guns and more of these individuals who are so cavalier in the things that they’re doing, targeting people, with disregard for the life of innocent people,” he said.

Taverner said he believes this year is different, as the number of daylight shootings has increased, because the criminals appear not to be concerned they will be caught.

He said the long-term vision is to have officers dedicated to neighbourhoods, staying maybe four years in a particular neighbourhood, getting to know the people and showing the community that they care.

“And we certainly do care,” Taverner said, “but we only have limited resources to do these things, and it’s going to take time to get this program out and running across the city.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det.-Sgt. Susan Gomes at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.