A Barrie teen has been identified as the victim of a homicide that happened at an Etobicoke complex overnight. According to Toronto police, at 1:56 a.m. on Tuesday, police responded to reports of gunshots in the Martin Grove Road and Finch Avenue area. Det.-Sgt. Sandra Arruda with Toronto police say when officers arrived on scene, they found a man who had been shot. Police performed life-saving measures immediately, but the man was pronounced dead. According to authorities, the man is Brandon Blake, 18, from Barrie. Police are looking for two suspects. Officers describe one of the suspects as a man who is light-skinned, thin build, wearing all black with a hood up and face mask covering most of his face. The other is described as a man with brown skin, medium build, wearing all black with the hood up and also a face mask covering his face. A strong police presence remains in the area as the investigation is active and early. Arruda says investigators are still trying to determine “how many shooters were shooting, whether or not they were shooting into the field or whether it was strictly in the complex.” She says it’s not known whether an automatic weapon was used, but there are many shell casings at the scene. It is also unknown whether it was gang-related or targeted. Officers are also gathering evidence and canvassing for video. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. “It is very concerning that we have these shootings happen in these communities where we know there are children and a lot of innocent people,” Arruda says. She says it’s critical for people to contact police with information they may have, even if it’s something that seems small. “We have to work together. Our communities have to come forward,” Arruda says. “They have to provide us information. It’s the only way we can put people behind bars and make sure this doesn’t continue to happen.”
