Two people were killed and several others, including an infant, were injured in a shooting in Canada’s largest metropolis Toronto, police said.
“2 people killed in gunfire that broke out during party,” police said in a Twitter message. “Deceased are a male and a female,” said a second message by Police Chief Bill Blair.
He described the incident as “the worst incident of gun violence” in the city’s history. “A lot of innocent people were injured tonight.”
Blair told reporters that during a “very large party” with more than 200 guests “an altercation broke out between individuals” that lead to an exchange of gunfire. The shooting occurred on Danzig Avenue, near Morningside Avenue and Lawrence Avenue East in the city’s east side after a fight at a crowded barbecue.
Blair said a 20-year-old man and a young teenage girl were killed, and as many as 19 were injured in the melee.
Constable Wendy Drummond added “not all of those victims are gunshot victims.”
“We have a child, an infant, that is also a victim,” she said.
The child was shot, said Blair, adding that the “infant will be fine.”