Police have released security video of an attempted murder suspect posing as a delivery person before shooting a 44-year-old Mississauga woman with a crossbow that was concealed in a box.

The incident took place on Nov. 7, 2018, on Bayberry Drive near Highway 401 and Winston Churchill Boulevard in Mississauga.

Peel Regional police Supt. Heather Ramore said it appears that the attack was targeted.

“This was not a random act,” she said. “Comments that were made to the victim by the suspect indicate that the victim was targeted and the suspect may have carried out the attack at the request of another individual. It is clear that this attack was meant to end the victim’s life.”

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Police say the victim, who was home alone at the time, answered the front door at around 8 p.m. and had a brief conversation with the suspect, who was dressed all in white and wearing black gloves.

He was carrying a large box, feigning a delivery. But police say a powerful crossbow used to hunt large game was hidden in the box.

The two briefly exchanged words at the front door before the man fired the crossbow, hitting the woman with an arrow that caused life-threatening injuries.

The man then ran off before fleeing in a dark coloured pickup truck (pictured below.)

The victim was able to close the front door and call 911. She survived, but as Det. Sgt. Jim Kettles explained, her injuries were life altering.

“(She) spent several months in hospital,” he explained. “She’ll be in the recovery phase for the rest of her life. The injuries she sustained were absolutely devastating. It involved damage to a lot of her internal organs.

“Her life will never be the same.”

Kettles said it’s not yet clear if the suspect drove off on his own or was accompanied by a driver.

“The suspect may have attended with another individual,” he said. “This is something we are attempting to establish.”

Police are also trying to determine how many people may have been involved in planning the attack.

“There are potential motives that we have established,” Kettles said. “I can’t speak to those at this point in time.”

“We don’t know at this point how many people may have been involved in orchestrating this … that’s an important aspect of the investigation that we are trying to establish now.”

In the meantime, police are appealing to the public for help identifying the suspect, adding that aside from wearing a baseball cap, he did not conceal his face.

“His face does not appear to be covered,” Kettles said. “He is wearing a cap on his head, it’s somewhat distinctive in its design.”

Kettles said the victim did not recognize her attacker and she has cooperated fully with police.

If you know anything, contact Peel regional police or Crime Stoppers.