Arrest in April Mass Shooting

Investigators have made an arrest in connection with a shooting of a group of people in April in a Scarborough parking plaza lot near Markham Rd. and Lawrence Ave. E.

Officers form 43 Division responded to a shooting where multiple people were shot.

Paramedics transported five people to hospital. At the time, a group of between 10 to 15 people were in the parking lot to celebrate Ramadan.

A total of six 9mm shell casings were located on Markham Rd.

At a press conference at police headquarters on September 7, Superintendent Steve Watts said there was very little information at the outset of the investigation.

“However, this is an excellent example of the needed co-operation and continued trust shown by this community with 43 Division and the Service’s Organized Crime Enforcement (OCE) team,” Watts said. “Members of the OCE, the Integrated Gun & Gang Task Force, the Centralized Shooting Response Team (CRST) and Gun and Gang Street Teams demonstrated exceptional dedication and unparalled investigative proficiency by following the evidence and utilizing multiple investigative techniques.”

As a result, a man was arrested on September 5, alleged to be in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun.

Muhammad Ashan Naseer, 20, of Toronto, was charged with five counts of Attempt Murder and various firearm offences.

Watts said the shooting was targeted.

“At this point, we have no evidence to suggest that this was hate-motivated at these particular individuals,” he added. “This individual is from that community and lives in that community. What I can say is Mr. Naseer is known to be active in the community and we know him.”