TORONTO — Police have identified two men wanted in connection with a daylight shooting at a Toronto playground that sent two young sisters to hospital.
Det. Sgt. Jim Gotell says police now believe two men opened fire at a quiet co-operative housing complex in an east Toronto suburb, striking the sisters as they played among other children last week.
He alleges the two shooters then fled the scene with the help of a getaway driver.
Police previously arrested 21-year-old Sheldon Eriya of Markham, Ont., and charged him with a number of offences including attempted murder.
Gotell says Terrick Rhoden and T'Quan Robertson, both 23-year-old Toronto residents, are now wanted on many of the same offences.
Police had initially indicated that they were only looking for a single gunman and a driver, but Gotell says new information has emerged.
"We have two shooters and a driver," Gotell said. "I'm not going to discuss who did what, but they're all jointly charged with the offences right now."
He said Rhoden and Robertson are familiar with the neighbourhood where the shooting took place, though live elsewhere in the city. He said both men are considered armed and should not be approached.
They are each wanted on one count of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and discharging a firearm with intent.
Gotell said community members have been very co-operative in the investigation, which he said has consumed his team since the Thursday afternoon shooting.
He said police have not yet been able to speak to the person targeted in the shooting, which took place next to a space where 11 children were playing at the time.
The two sisters, aged five and nine, were taken to hospital with serious injuries, but both are expected to recover. Gotell said he did not have any new information on the girls’ condition.
