TORONTO [Peter Paul Media] — Police have identified the victim of a shooting at the intersection Bloor Steet West and Yonge Street on Wednesday as 18-year-old Gabriel Nikov of Toronto.
An official for the Toronto District School Board told Peter Paul Media on Friday that Nikov was a student at Central Toronto Academy. Counselors will be available to assist students and staff cope with the loss, the official said.
Officers responded to the area shortly after 8 p.m. after receiving multiple reports of gunshots. On arrival, they found Nikov vital signs absent and despite an emergency run to hospital, he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Police said the victim was targeted and witnesses report hearing at least five shots but it is unclear how many hit Nikov. The victim became involved in a physical altercation with a group of people before being shot, witnesses told CTV News.
In surveillance video obtained by the news organization, pedestrians can be seen running for safety seconds after the shooting while three men are seen running northbound on Yonge Street toward Asquith Avenue.
Police are seeking three suspects, all described as white males. The first suspect was seen wearing a white jacket, the second wearing a baby blue jacket and the third suspect had a black jacket.
Anyone with information which may help solve the case is asked to call police at 416-808-7400. You can also contact police anonymously at 416-222-TIPS [8477] or 1-800-222-8477.
Peter Paul Media 