York Regional Police are seeking help from the public in identifying a suspect who was involved in a shooting on Friday in Vaughan, and an armed extortion last week.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Friday, officers were called to a business at 3550 Rutherford Rd., just west of Hwy. 400, said police in a press release.

Police claim they found that multiple shots were fired through the front window of the business. Although there were employees inside the premises, none of them were injured.

After they reviewed video surveillance, police say they believe the suspect is the same man who had allegedly threatened an employee with a gun last week.

On August 29, around 12:45 p.m., police were called to a parking lot on Rutherford Rd., west of Hwy. 400.

“An employee of this business was outside in the parking lot when a man that matches this exact same description approaches her in his vehicle, again armed with a handgun, made some threats,” said Const. Andy Pattenden at the scene, adding that this incident was also captured on surveillance footage.

In their press release, police say the man made several demands and threatened the victim, before striking her with the gun. The man later fled the scene in a beige SUV.

“We put those images out, but were unable to identify who that suspect is,” said Pattenden. “We’re hoping now as this level of violence has increased, somebody is going to know who this is. We need somebody to step up, speak up, and let us know who this person is so we can get them off our streets.”

Given that the victim in the first incident was also an employee of the business where the shooting occurred, “It does appear that this business is the target, for his violence,” Pattenden added.

Police are describing the suspect as a male with a dark skin tone, standing at approximately five-foot-seven, with a thin build. The man was wearing a black hoodie, a red vest and a black mask over the lower part of his face. He was allegedly armed with a gold handgun.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

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With files from Rhianna Jackson-Kelso

Osobe Waberi is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @OsobeWaberi

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