Three times as many people have been killed by gunfire this year in Toronto compared to last year.

According to police statistics, murders involving guns are up 200 per cent with 18 lives claimed so far, compared to six at this time last year.

The number of homicides is also up from 14 at this point last year to 28 this year.

The most recent murder happened Friday night in the city’s east end. Two people in their 20s were shot to death at the Parkway Plaza. A 24-year-old Toronto man has since been charged with first-degree murder.

Last year, there were 26 shooting deaths in Toronto, which was down one from 2014. The total number of homicides last year was 56.