Toronto resembled the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral this week as a wild shooting frenzy erupted in the city’s west end.
Police allege a video posted on social media showing revellers at a birthday party waving guns triggered — literally — the shootout. Cops say it’s a miracle no one was killed or seriously injured in the incident, which terrified residents and had two police officers in an unmarked car ducking for cover.
Staff-Supt. Joe Matthews said bullets pierced the car, “narrowly missing the officers and riddling cars and surroundings.”
The wanton disregard for the criminal justice system shown by those arrested and charged in the incident is disturbing.
Postmedia columnist Joe Warmington reports that, of the 23 arrested, eight have been charged. One youth has been charged in an earlier murder. Police allege two of those charged were out on bail, with one facing three gun prohibitions. Cops have laid 72 charges so far.
There’s a criminal element in this country who are scofflaws. Our catch-and-release criminal justice system emboldens them and is nothing more than a minor inconvenience as they continue their violent lives.
Earlier this year, the nation’s premiers sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demanding changes to this country’s bail laws, following the murder of a woman in British Columbia. Tori Dunn was killed by a man with a long history of violence. He’d been charged with breach of probation just weeks before the killing.
The premiers said there’s a trend of “repeat and violent offenders being released into our communities without proper considerations,” and called for a thorough review of the bail system.
The federal government’s knee-jerk response was to toss it back to the provinces, saying they need to enforce bail laws.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called for the federal government to restore mandatory minimum sentences for violent offences and an option to refuse bail for violent crimes, including intimate partner violence.
Police showed incredible bravery under fire in the incident this week. They saved lives as a result of their presence of mind.
It’s clear our criminal justice system is failing them. We need less finger-pointing and more co-operation on the part of politicians to make the legislative changes needed to keep us safe.