Police have identified the man who died following a shooting at Woodbine Mall in northwest Toronto on Saturday afternoon, an incident that unfolded in a busy shopping area and left shoppers shaken. The fatal shooting happened shortly after 3:30 p.m. at the mall near Rexdale Boulevard and Highway 27, prompting an immediate and large police response.
According to Toronto police, officers were called to the scene after reports of gunfire at the shopping centre. When they arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Paramedics quickly provided emergency care and rushed the victim to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite life-saving efforts by medical staff, the man later died from his injuries.
In a news release issued Sunday, police identified the victim as Chanda Kumar Raja Nandakumar, 37, of Brampton. Authorities have not disclosed why he was at the mall or what led up to the shooting. His death has added to growing concerns about gun violence occurring in public places across the city.
Photos taken from the scene show a white SUV with multiple bullet holes, including damage to the windshield and a shattered driver’s-side window. Investigators believe the vehicle is connected to the shooting and are examining it closely for evidence. The SUV remained in the parking area for several hours as officers documented the scene and collected forensic material.
Police said the suspect or suspects fled the area in a vehicle shortly after the shooting. No suspect descriptions have been released, and no arrests have been made. Investigators are reviewing security camera footage from the mall and nearby businesses, as well as traffic cameras in the surrounding area, to track the movements of those involved.
Toronto police have stated that the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. However, Insp. Errol Watson told reporters that investigators believe the incident was targeted, adding that there is no known ongoing threat to the public. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has dashcam or cellphone video from the area around the time of the incident to come forward as the investigation continues.
