JIT o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-11-30 published
Daylight shooting claims life
Body found near laneway where drugs, violence prevalent
Conversation took place before bullets were fired, police say
By Isabel TEOTONIO,
Staff
Reporter
A man was left to die before horrified onlookers as his assailants
fled by car after a brazen shooting yesterday afternoon in the
city's west end.
Gunshots rang out around 3 p.m. on Perth Ave., a few metres north
of Bloor St. W., next to a laneway that residents say is rife
with drugs and violence.
The victim, identified by police Wednesday as 24-year-old Corey
JOHN, was pronounced dead at the scene.
For at least 2 1/2 hours, his body remained under a blanket --
a sight that stunned residents and children returning home from
work and school.
JOHN's body, many remarked, eerily marked the
spot where Holly
JONES, 10, was abducted in 2003 before being
sexually assaulted and killed.
One witness said she was startled by what sounded like firecrackers.
"Even after (the victim) fell on the ground, they kept shooting
at him."
Resham BUGG, who owns and operates 3
JIT
Variety at the corner
of Perth and Bloor, said he ran out after hearing between four
and six gunshots. A small group of people quickly formed around
the victim as he lay bleeding from what appeared to be gunshot
wounds to the back,
BUGG said. When they asked if he was all
right, he nodded. He was dead minutes later.
witnesses: at the scene reported seeing two or three men flee
in a small light-coloured car, possibly a grey or white Toyota
Corolla hatchback.
"He was a nice guy, very polite,"
BUGG said, adding that
JOHN
was a frequent customer at his store. The neighbourhood is popular
with drug dealers and prostitutes,
BUGG said, adding his wife
fears for their children's safety when they play outside.
Police
Insp.
Mike
EARLE said witnesses: reported seeing "some
type of conversation" before the shooting, adding he wasn't sure
whether it was a dispute. Despite being in an area known to police
for drug activity,
EARLE wouldn't speculate on whether drugs
played a role in Toronto's 72nd homicide this year, the 49th
by shooting.
J... Names JI... Names JIT... Names Welcome Home