Police have identified two victims killed Wednesday morning when a gunman opened fire at a Toronto-area cafe before fleeing the scene.
Maria Voci, 47, and Christopher DeSimone, 24, were fatally shot at Moka Espresso Bar, on Islington Avenue near Highway 7, shortly after 8 a.m. Police say Voci and DeSimone were from Vaughan, Ont.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Voci was a mother to three boys and DeSimone was a young husband.
Two other men were also rushed to hospital with serious injuries, according to York Regional Police Const. Andy Pattenden. One of the victims is in life-threatening condition.
Police said witnesses reported that a man entered the cafe and started shooting, but he cautioned the investigation is in its early stages and specific details have not been confirmed by police.
They said it's too early in the investigation to determine whether the victims were targeted.
"We are appealing to anyone who might have seen anything in the area this morning around 8:18 to please contact York Regional Police," Pattenden said.
According to the owner of a restaurant in the plaza, Voci worked at the café.
“Every morning at 6 a.m., she made coffee and she was an extremely nice person,” Bob Naraghi said. “She had three beautiful sons."
Police officers are canvassing the area, and will be asking nearby business owners for surveillance footage.
The suspect fled the scene in a dark-coloured compact vehicle, which was last seen heading south on Islington. Police are asking anyone with a dashboard-mounted camera who was driving through the area at the time to come forward with footage.
As officers investigate, Islington Avenue is blocked off in the area around Highway 7.
Wednesday’s incident was the fourth fatal daylight shooting in Woodbridge over the past 14 months.
Anyone with more information is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7865, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
With a report from CTV Toronto’s John Musselman
