WATCH ABOVE: Three shooters opened fire on Toronto’s Queen Street in the Leslieville area, injuring a woman in her 40s with multiple gunshot wounds, who was later pronounced dead after being rushed to a hospital. The three suspects remain at large as Global’s Catherine McDonald reports.
Shaken residents of an east Toronto neighbourhood worked Monday to process the aftermath of a shooting that killed a bystander with a stray bullet, as police searched for three suspects.
Police say 44-year-old Karolina Huebner-Makurat was killed while walking in the area of Queen Street and Carlaw Avenue around 12:20 p.m. on Friday. She was hit by a bullet after a group of three men were in an altercation nearby and two of them fired guns at each other, police said.
Flowers, candles and a few notes were visible Monday in the Leslieville neighbourhood where Huebner-Makurat was shot.
“It could’ve been anyone. It could’ve been any mother, any father, anyone in this neighbourhood. It’s just really awful,” said Lara Shaw, a Leslieville resident.
A man who identified himself as Huebner-Makurat’s husband posted on social media after Friday’s shooting, asking for privacy and calling it a “tragic day.”
“Life is short. Hug your loved ones every moment you get the chance,” wrote Adrian Makurat, on a profile filled with pictures of the couple and two young girls.
Will Jennings and Gabrielle Jennings, who have lived in the Leslieville neighbourhood for around five years, said the shooting has shocked them and their neighbours.
“She was just an innocent bystander, which is pretty horrifying,” Will Jennings said of Karolina Huebner-Makurat.
Gabrielle Jennings added, “I think everyone feels like this sort of, could have been us. It could’ve been me. I was there two days before.”
They said it called to mind the horrifying scene five years ago this month, when the couple lived in nearby Greektown, and a gunman went on a shooting rampage along Danforth Avenue, killing two young girls and injuring 13 others.
“Here we are in the midst of another one,” Will Jennings said.
Police released pictures of three suspects and made an appeal to the public for help identifying them. Two of the suspects being sought by police are described as between 18 and 25 years old, while the other man is thought to be 25 to 30.
A police spokesperson said Monday morning there were no updates to share. The homicide unit would update the public “as soon as new information is available,” media relations officer Laurie McCann said in an email.
Ben Tutu was in the area Friday when he heard three bangs and saw people running from the direction of Carlaw and Queen. Once police arrived, he walked up to the area and “saw the chaos,” he said.
Asked why he returned to area on Monday, he said his “heart was heavy all weekend.”
“An innocent lady shouldn’t have to lose her life … getting shot out of nowhere, and leaving two kids and a husband behind,” he said.
As he drove to the area on Monday, Tutu said he had heard news of another shooting that morning near Toronto’s busy intersection of Yonge and Bloor streets. A man and a woman in their 20s had been taken to hospital with serious injuries in what police indicated may have been a road rage incident turned violent.
“The city needs to do better,” Tutu said.
Huebner-Makurat is the city’s 32nd homicide of the year. Police data indicates 12 of those victims were killed in a shooting, 13 in a stabbing and seven in other unspecified incidents.
Publicly available police data – current as of Saturday – shows reported shootings are at a five-year low, dating back to 2019. So far this year, there have been 153 reported shootings or firearm discharges, compared to a high of 225 in 2020, or the next lowest mark of 187 in 2021.
In a shocking turn of events, the residents of Toronto were left reeling from the devastating death of a woman who was tragically hit by a stray bullet. The incident sent shockwaves throughout the community, leaving everyone in disbelief. This heart-wrenching story serves as a somber reminder of the unexpected dangers that can lurk in our own neighborhoods.
“When Safety is Shattered: Reflecting on the Fatal Encounter of a Toronto Woman with a Stray Bullet” The tranquility of Toronto was shattered when a woman fell victim to a stray bullet, a tragic incident that left residents in a state of shock and disbelief. This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder that even in seemingly safe environments, unforeseen dangers can strike at any moment. The community now grapples with the aftermath, reflecting on the fragility of life and the urgent need for measures to prevent such tragedies.
“From Grief to Action: Toronto Unites in the Wake of a Woman’s Death from a Stray Bullet” The untimely death of a woman struck by a stray bullet has stirred deep emotions within the tight-knit community of Toronto. Shock and sorrow have quickly transformed into a powerful force for change as residents come together to demand justice and promote awareness about the issue of gun violence. This tragic event has ignited a call to action, propelling Toronto into a united front against the senseless violence that claimed an innocent life.
“A City in Mourning: Toronto’s Heartache Over the Loss of a Woman Hit by a Stray Bullet” The city of Toronto finds itself engulfed in a collective state of mourning as the news of a woman’s fatal encounter with a stray bullet spreads through its streets. The tragedy has left an indelible mark on the community, highlighting the urgent need for stronger measures to address gun violence. Toronto now stands united in grief, determined to honor the memory of the victim by advocating for safer neighborhoods and stricter gun control.
“Seeking Answers, Demanding Change: Toronto Confronts the Devastating Reality of Stray Bullet Fatality” The death of a woman struck by a stray bullet has left Toronto residents grappling with a profound sense of shock and disbelief. As the community mourns the loss of a cherished member, questions abound about the circumstances surrounding the incident and the underlying issues that contribute to such tragedies. In the quest for answers, Toronto stands united, determined to confront the devastating reality of stray bullet fatalities and enact meaningful change to ensure the safety of its residents.