2 DEAD IN CANADA AT POPULAR JAMAICAN SPOT

2 men dead in early morning shooting at Vaughan banquet hall

One died at the scene, while the other, whom police say is 23, died in

Shooting broke out at this Vaughan banquet hall in the early morning hours on Saturday.
Two men were killed in a shooting at a Vaughan banquet hall and restaurant early Saturday, York police say.

Officers were called to the Dream Palace Banquet Hall and Restaurant, 8131 Keele St., near Rivermede Road, at 4:16 a.m. Several people called 911 about the sound of gunshots.

“Upon arrival, it was quite the chaotic scene,” Staff Sgt. David Mitchell, duty inspector for York Regional Police, said Saturday.

1 found inside, 1 found outside
Officers found two men, both suffering from gunshot wounds.

One was found inside the restaurant and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other, whom police say is 23, was found outside with life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to a Toronto trauma centre, where he died. He had been shot in the legs, Mitchell said.

No names have been released.

Mitchell said police believe there could be a third person who was injured.

Vaughan double fatal shooting
Police said it was a chaotic scene at the venue when officers first arrived. (Michael Cole/CBC)
Police unsure of what preceded shooting
“Exactly what the events are that led up to this, we don’t know. The investigation is in its infancy,” he said.

There were people inside the restaurant when the shooting occurred, he added.

“I know there was a bunch of people scrambling to get out of that restaurant when our officers arrived,” he said.

“Anytime you have gunfire in a crowd, there’s a potential that other people have been injured. If they have fled the scene and they are injured, we don’t know that just yet.”

Police have not released any suspect information, but officers have taped off the restaurant and part of the parking lot as they gather evidence. Witnesses are being interviewed.

Police are also trying to obtain security camera video.

Investigators from York police’s homicide unit and forensic identification unit were at the scene. Police said they are expected to remain there throughout the day.

Officers have not recovered a gun.

Const. Andy Pattenden, spokesperson for York Regional Police, says anyone with information is urged to call police.

“At this point in time, we are appealing for witnesses,” he said.

“We’re looking anyone that saw what took place, anyone who might have been driving around in this area at the time, anyone who might have cameras in the area, that witnessed anything.”

With files from Muriel Draaisma
CBC’s Journalistic Standards and Practices