Toronto is grappling with a surge in gun violence linked to the tow truck industry as police investigate a shocking third shooting incident within just over a day. This latest event unfolded in Scarborough around 11:45 p.m. on Thursday at Lawrence Avenue East and Greencrest Circuit, where reports of gunshots sent shockwaves through the community.

A man in his 20s, who was driving a tow truck at the time, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and has since been rushed to the hospital. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a flurry of gunfire, with more than 10 bullets striking the vehicle, which bore clear evidence of the violent altercation, including numerous bullet holes in the windows.

Witnesses shared their alarm, with one resident expressing, “I heard about four shots last night. It was unsettling to see so many police cruisers. I knew it was serious – I was just trying to sleep while my kids were in bed.” Another local resident echoed these sentiments: “This is the third incident in our area. What are these tow trucks fighting over? It’s pretty scary.”

Earlier the same day, around 5:10 p.m., two individuals required medical attention after a shooting occurred at a tow truck yard located near Markham Road and Passmore Avenue, approximately 15 minutes north of the latest incident location. Fortunately, both victims also sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Similar to the earlier case, a dark-coloured vehicle was seen fleeing from this scene, but details regarding the suspects remain limited.

The alarming string of events began on Wednesday night with a shooting near Markham Road and Sheppard Avenue East, where a tow truck driver also sustained serious injuries. Once again, police have not released any information about possible suspects.

Toronto police are diligently investigating all three shootings but have yet to determine whether there is a direct connection between them. In response to this escalating violence, a spokesperson for Toronto police characterized gun violence within the tow truck industry as a “serious issue,” revealing that nearly 15% of all reported shootings in Toronto last year were associated with tow trucks, totaling at least 62 incidents.

In a strategic effort to tackle this troubling trend, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) established a Tow Truck Task Force last August to adopt a comprehensive approach aimed at combating crimes connected to this sector. “This violence, while alarming, is driven by a small segment of the industry engaged in territorial conflicts,” the spokesperson noted.

Recognizing the necessity for regulatory reform, the Ontario government has also pledged to combat fraudulent activity among tow truck drivers by implementing a new certification requirement that came into effect early last year.

As the situation develops, residents are left wondering if the violence will subside or escalate further, raising significant concerns about safety in the community. Will more drastic measures be needed to curb these dangerous trends? Stay tuned for updates as police continue their investigation.