A mass shooting unfolded at a newly-opened pub in Scarborough, Toronto, Canada, resulting in injuries to 12 individuals. The incident occurred on Friday night, March 7, 2025, when three masked gunmen entered the venue and started firing at patrons.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw characterized the event as an “incredibly brazen act of violence” as authorities continue to search for the suspects who escaped the scene.
The shooting took place around 10:40 p.m. at the Piper Arms Pub, situated near the Scarborough Town Centre mall. The establishment was marking its opening night when the gunmen entered and opened fire, disrupting the celebratory atmosphere.
As per police, seven individuals sustained gunshot wounds, while five others were injured by shattered glass. Initially, authorities reported six gunshot victims, but later determined that one person believed to have been injured by glass was actually grazed by a bullet. All victims are expected to survive, with some suffering “serious life-altering injuries,” according to police. The victims’ ages range from their 20s to mid-50s.
Toronto Police Superintendent Paul MacIntyre addressed media outside the pub shortly after 2 a.m., expressing shock at the severity of the attack, which was captured on the pub’s surveillance cameras.
According to MacIntyre, while incidents involving gun violence have unfortunately become more frequent, the nature of this attack was particularly alarming. He described how the assailants targeted the crowd without hesitation, firing in a chilling manner.
MacIntyre explained that the footage shows one gunman wielding an assault rifle and the other two using handguns. Patrons are seen enjoying their evening before quickly seeking cover as the shooting started. Some victims collapsed upon being hit.
Upon police arrival, some victims were still lying on the floor or seated where they had been shot. MacIntyre described the scene inside the pub as “eerie,” with drinks and food untouched on tables, and personal items like purses and shoes abandoned in the chaos.
“It looks like we had a mass-casualty shooting inside a pub,” MacIntyre said.
Unverified videos purportedly taken inside the pub after the shooting show broken glass railings, blood on the floor, and emergency personnel attending to victims. One detail from these videos shows what appears to be a drink pitcher over a bullet casing. Police have declined to comment on the authenticity of this footage.
As the investigation progresses, speculation about the motives has surfaced. Scarborough Centre Councillor Michael Thompson suggested a possible link to violence in the towing industry, citing calls from “individuals connected with the industry” who believe the shooting may be related to a towing turf war. However, Police Chief Demkiw refrained from speculating on possible motives when questioned by reporters.
The suggestion of a connection to the towing industry arises amid growing concerns about violence in that sector. According to police data, in 2024, 63 incidents of firearm discharges and shootings were related to tow truck disputes, representing nearly 13% of all shootings in Toronto. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has previously condemned the rise in violence associated with the towing industry, emphasizing the risk to innocent lives.
Toronto Police have established a task force to address crime and violence in the tow truck industry, though no official connection has been made between this shooting and these ongoing issues.
Local residents expressed their dismay at the violence in their community. Lemaun Bailey-McIntosh, who was near the crime scene on Saturday morning, told CBC Toronto: “Pedestrians were walking by, [people were] having a good time on a Friday night, and just to see something like this, it’s terrible. Thank God nobody got killed.”
The area surrounding the pub remained sealed off with crime scene tape over the weekend as investigators continued to gather evidence.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her concern for the victims and their families, noting that she had spoken with Chief Demkiw, who assured her that resources and unit commanders were investigating throughout the night and morning.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also extended his concern for the victims and their families. In a post on X, he stated that such violence “will not be tolerated” and expressed full support for Toronto police as they work to bring those responsible to justice.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the attack or has dashcam footage from the area to contact them as they continue their search for the three suspects, who fled the scene in a vehicle post-shooting.
