One of three young men accused in a series of GTA shootings linked to an alleged “gun-for-hire” scheme is from Barrie, according to police. At a news conference on Tuesday, investigators announced that two firearms seized during the probe have been connected to at least 27 shooting incidents across the Greater Toronto Area. Police allege the shootings were carried out by young people recruited and paid by “bad actors” to target places like synagogues, Jewish schools and the U.S. Consulate. The firearms, a 45-calibre handgun and a nine millimetre handgun, were discovered after members of the Emergency Task Force carried out a series of search warrants last Thursday. The weapons, officers state, were likely shared by multiple different shooters. Among those accused is 18-year-old Jayon Burgher of Barrie. Police say Burgher has been charged in connection with a shooting incident in Etobicoke that has been traced back to one of the two guns seized by police. Investigators say Burgher was first arrested by Halton Regional Police on April 15 in connection with a firearm discharge at an Oakville home. While in custody, he was also charged by Toronto police in relation to a March 26 Etobicoke shooting that damaged a business near Islington Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West. Burgher faces several charges, including discharging a restricted or prohibited firearm at a place, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and flight from police. Investigators have identified two other men allegedly connected to the two firearms, including an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old. The duo, police say, are believed to be involved in a shooting at the U.S. Consulate back on March 10. The consulate shooting and others, officers say, are part of a “broader” trend that police are seeing. “We are still doing ballistic testing and more arrests and charges could come at a later date,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said. Based on the investigation, Toronto police believe the incidents are intertwined and the investigation is ongoing. With files from CTVs Codi Wilson and Joshua Freeman
