Following a Canada Day weekend plagued with gun violence, Toronto police have informed the public of another shooting.

On Friday, June 29, around 1 am, officers from 51 Division responded to a radio call for a shooting in the Shuter Street and George Street area.

According to police, a verbal altercation occurred in the intersection between a 21-year-old pedestrian and a female 21-year-old driver.

Following the altercation, the driver exited her vehicle and removed a shotgun from her trunk.

The driver then pointed the shotgun at the pedestrian and began shooting and after returning the shotgun to her trunk she fled the scene.

Police say the pedestrian and a 69-year-old man cycling in the area sustained non-life-threatening gunshot injuries.

Following the incident, investigators identified the woman driving the vehicle and search warrants were executed and a quantity of drugs, a large sum of money, and drug paraphernalia were seized.

On Saturday, June 30, Cassandra Beckett-Benjamin, 21, of Toronto, was arrested. She has since been charged with:

1) Attempt Murder

2) Pointing a firearm

3) Assault with a weapon

4) Aggravated assault

5) Discharge firearm with intent to wound/endanger life

6) Possession of Unauthorized Firearm

7) Unauthorized possession of a firearm

8) Unauthorized possession of a firearm in motor vehicle

9) Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Schedule I

10) Possession of the Proceeds of Crime

This news is just the latest in Toronto’s recent spike in gun violence. Following the numerous shootings that took place in the city over the long weekend, Mayor John Tory said there is “no easy answer” or “magic wand to fix this situation”.

Tory said the Toronto Police will hire 200 officers this year and he will be reaching out to the provincial and federal governments to ramp up efforts to fight gang violence and gun crime.

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