Police across the GTA are investigating three separate homicide cases following a violent overnight — a double stabbing in Brampton in which the victims were trying to prevent theft, a double shooting at a noodle bar in Markham and another shooting at a housing complex in Oshawa.

In Brampton, 63-year-old Glensbert Oliver was stabbed to death and his 40-year-old son was also hurt while trying to stop “minor property theft,” police say.

Peel police were called to a home on Lanebrook Dr., near Devondale Ave., just before 2:30 a.m. Friday and found the two men with stab wounds. One died at the scene, while the other was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The two victims were stabbed while trying to prevent the suspects from committing theft, Acting Supt. Martin Ottaway told reporters at an afternoon news conference.

“This was about people trying to stop a minor property offence that escalated to the point of becoming a homicide,” Ottaway said.

Police are looking for five Black men in their late teens to early 20s. Police are urging the suspects to contact a lawyer and turn themselves in.

If a resident sees someone committing a crime, Ottaway said they should contact police rather than intervene.

“I would not suggest anyone confront anyone in any type of offence,” he said. “Property can be replaced, but lives obviously can’t.”

In Markham, York Region police said a man died and a woman was sent to hospital in critical condition following reports of a shooting at a noodle restaurant in a strip mall at 5460 Highway 7 E., near McCowan Rd. after 11 p.m. Thursday.

Witnesses reported seeing a motorcycle fleeing from the scene, police said.

Hey Noodles may have only been open a few months, but it was already doing a booming trade, serving customers until 2 a.m.

Jerry Chea, manager at the neighbouring Mazda dealership, said a bullet went through the building’s pillar and struck the bumper of a car causing minor damage.

“We are surprised this happened in this neighbourhood,” he said, explaining that because of the late hour, no one was in the building at the time.

Police are urging anybody who has information or surveillance footage to contact the homicide unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7865, homicide@yrp.ca, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.

In Oshawa, police were called to a housing complex near Ritson and Taunton Rds. just before midnight Thursday for reports of multiple gunshots, and found an 18-year-old man dead at the scene.

Police later identified the victim as Devon Patten.

Al LaTullipe, a resident in the Northview Meadow Co-op on Pentland St., was among the many residents who heard a series of gunshots.

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“I was inside rolling cigarettes when I heard the shots,” he said, saying he came outside and saw a man in the bushes who looked like he was vomiting.

“One guy had his thumbs on the bullet holes in his stomach to try to stop the blood.”

Durham police Insp. Mitch Martin said police received several 911 calls.

“Officers were on scene very quickly and they located an 18-year-old male who had suffered numerous gunshot wounds,” Martin said. “They attempted life saving techniques along with EMS but were unable to save the gentleman.”

He confirmed Patten was found in the area near the playground of the apartment and townhouse complex.

Martin added several suspects were seen fleeing the area. Some nearby residents reported a car “peeling” out of the area, describing it as a getaway car.

Police had a wide swath of area taped off and were canvassing the area Friday morning. The homicide unit was on scene.

“There is a very robust video system inside the complex so they’ll be reviewing the video, seeing what they can come up with,” Martin said. “Also the residents have been very helpful in giving us information and we’ll be getting hopefully more information from the canvas.”

Residents in the area said Patten was staying with residents of the complex on and off.

It’s the sixth homicide in Durham this year.

With files from the Star’s Temur Durrani, Rhianna Jackson-Kelso and yorkregion.com

Jacob Lorinc is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @jacoblorinc

Reka Szekely is a reporter for DurhamRegion.com. Reach her via email: rszekely@durhamregion.com

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