The shooting took place around 1:30 a.m. and Toronto police Det. Jeff Allington said the assailant or assailants fled on foot to a car on a nearby street. One other person was hurt in the shooting but not seriously.
Police report they have spoken to witnesses but people are not cooperating. “At this point we do have some information on a vehicle but nothing on a person,” Det. Allington told media. “However we do know that there was a large amount of people in and around the area of the restaurant and I am asking them to come forward.”
The identify of the deceased man has not been released as police are still notifying next-of-kin.
The same establishment, the Rotana Cafe, was the scene of another killing, this one in September of 2013. In what police called a random murder, Dominic Parker, 45, a Markham firefighter and movie set designer was attacked and stabbed repeatedly in the head there while sipping tea.
The father of two died the following day in hospital. A then 23-year-old man, Nabil Hurhuy, was arrested and charged in Parker’s death.
During their investigation of Tuesday morning’s shooting, police closed off areas of Danforth Avenue. They ask that anyone who was at the scene or has any information on the shooting to contact 54 Division at 416-808-5400, or call the homicide squad directly at 416- 808-7400.
