Shots fired across busy street

A 15-year-old boy is accused of firing several shots across a busy Toronto street, striking a person in the leg.

Investigators allege the teen was walking along Sheppard Ave. W., just east of Jane St., when he made "derogatory gestures" toward a teenaged boy and two young men standing outside a Toronto Community Housing complex across the street just before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Toronto Police Const. Wendy Drummond said yesterday ahead of the teen's court appearance.

He's then accused of pulling out a gun and firing six or seven shots toward the trio, across four lanes of traffic, striking an 18-year-old man in the leg, Drummond said.

The 15-year-old boy and 20-year-old man the victim was standing with were not injured and there were no reports of vehicles being hit, Drummond said.

"Thankfully and unbelievably, nobody else was injured or struck," Drummond said. "It's an absolute wanton disregard for safety -- human life and public safety."

It was unclear yesterday whether the accused knew his alleged victims.

"Nowhere (in the police report) does it mention that they were known to each other," Drummond said.

Regardless of what motivated the gunplay, she reiterated the seriousness of where and when it took place.

"Outside only one of the three being struck, we have an area which is both residential, it's commercial, it's still early in the evening, there were several people in the area. We're very fortunate that the incident wasn't more serious," Drummond said.

The teen, already facing charges, was arrested that evening and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and failing to comply with bail and the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He also faces several gun-related charges

During a search of a nearby acquaintance's Brady Cres. home, police allege they found a .38-calibre Special revolver, a .380-calibre semi-automatic handgun, ammunition and a large amount of marijuana.

The teen was subsequently charged with a series of other gun-related charges.

Alphonso Zuriel, 19, and Dwayne Powell, 18, who were found in the home, were also slapped with several gun-related charges.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/08/28/10646361-sun.html