Gunshots fired inside Etobicoke high school, 2 outstanding

Toronto police are searching for two suspects after gunshots were fired inside an Etobicoke high school late Tuesday afternoon.

The incident happened at Silverthorne Collegiate Institute at 291 Mill Rd., just south of Burnhamthorpe Road.

Speaking with the media outside the school on Tuesday evening, Acting Insp. Saleem Husain, of Toronto Police Service (TPS), said police were called to the address at around 4 p.m., after classes were done for the day, after receiving reports of a firearm discharge in a stairwell as well as two masked individuals who were seen inside the building.

Husain said officers “responded quickly” and found “evidence of a firearm discharge.”

The suspects are believed to have fled the area, police said. No suspect description has been released at this time.

No injuries were reported.

“At this time, there is no indication that anybody was injured in this incident,” said Husain.

“The school was placed in lockdown as at the time there were approximately 120 people inside the school: 60 involved with a basketball game and 60 preparing for what was supposed to be open house taking place tonight.”

 

 

In a letter to parents and guardian, Mark Varvas, the school’s principal, said all of the doors were locked at the time to ensure the safety of students and staff, and those playing basketball in the gym.

Husain said officers did an initial sweep of the building, followed by members of the Emergency Task Force who then “proceeded to go room by room, clearing to ensure no suspects remain and that everybody was safe inside the school.”

“As the people were released from the school, their conditions were checked on to make sure they were okay and they were escorted out of the school,” Husain said.

The lockdown was lifted at around 6:45 p.m., Varvas said.

Police said all students and staff have now been safely removed from the building.

“The safety and well-being of students and staff is always our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution, there will be a police presence at the school tomorrow and social work staff will be available to support students as needed,” he wrote.

Husain added that TPS’s Caring and Safe School Committee will be available at Silverthorne C.I. on Wednesday. Representatives from SafeTO, the City of Toronto’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, have also been notified, he said.

“We understand how much of a concern this incident will be and we are throwing multiple resources at it. Our Guns and Gangs team has taken over the investigation,” he said, adding police are taking this investigation “very seriously.”

“At this time, we’re looking for assistance from the public. If anybody was driving by around 4 p.m. that might have dashcam video we would request them to forward it to us.”

Toronto police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-2200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.