Armed carjacking in Riverside leads to arrest of man wanted in Hwy. 401 shooting

An armed carjacking in Riverside has led to the arrest of a man wanted for allegedly shooting at vehicles on Highway 401 on Tuesday morning.

Toronto police were called to Dundas and Carroll streets around 7:15 p.m. to reports of a shooting.

Police say an armed male suspect was walking in the roadway when he approached a vehicle stopped at a red light and tried to open the door. He allegedly shot the driver and fled the scene in the victim’s car.

The male driver was transported to the hospital by an emergency run with serious, life-threatening injuries.

He allegedly approached another vehicle and tried to open the door, and fired a handgun, which narrowly missed the driver. Police say he then tried to carjack two more vehicles but was unsuccessful.

Police say he approached a fifth vehicle and pointed a handgun at the driver. The driver exited the vehicle and the suspect allegedly fled the area.

Officers say the suspect then drove off and crashed into a gas pump at Carlaw Road and Lake Shore Boulevard. The car was later abandoned. He then allegedly attempted to carjack another vehicle while armed with a handgun.

Officers from 51 and 55 Divisions along with members from the Hold Up Squad, the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force Centralized Shooting Response Team and Forensic Identification Services were called to the area.

Investigators say when they saw the suspect in the parking lot, he tried to flee the area on foot. The suspect was located a short distance away and taken into custody without incident after a brief foot pursuit. A firearm was also allegedly recovered.

When the suspect was arrested, it was determined the man was 29-year-old Troy Ledrew, who was wanted after allegedly shooting at several vehicles on Highway 401 on Tuesday.

“Further investigation revealed that Troy Dennis Ledrew was wanted by the Ontario Provincial Police for a similar carjacking and discharge firearm incident that occurred near Highway 401 and Renforth Drive in Mississauga on Tuesday, November 26, 2024,” Toronto police said in a release.

Ledrew, 29, of no fixed address, was charged with 27 offences including two counts of attempted murder, six counts of robbery with firearm, two counts of discharge firearm with intent to endanger life, aggravated assault, two counts of possess firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order, fail to comply probation, and fail to comply undertaking.

Toronto Police say the suspect was out on bail at the time.

“He was charged with ‘fail to comply undertaking,’ so that would mean that he was released from custody with conditions while awaiting a court appearance for a criminal charge. He failed to comply with the rules of the undertaking,” police told CityNews.

OPP say they received at least 10 reports of motorists who had their vehicles shot at since Tuesday morning and had engaged both the Toronto and Peel police to help with the investigation.

“This remains an active and complex investigation, and we are still working to establish a complete timeline. However, what is critical to know is this: the suspect is in custody, and there is no further threat to public safety. There appear to be no other victims other than the one shooting victim that is in the hospital,” said Duty Inspector Steve Campoli.

“We’re extremely grateful for our partners with the Toronto Police Service and their role in apprehending [the suspect]. Additionally, I would like to thank the public for their numerous tips and all the dashcam footage that has been brought forward,” said OPP Duty Inspector Sean Chatland.

Campoli added they have yet to determine a motive for the incidents.

“I don’t think it’s a situation anybody can ever plan for, and incredibly, incredibly concerning the actions, and we’ve been working this case diligently for well over 24 hours, and I could simply say that we haven’t even been able to establish a motive of any kind at this point. So that’s extremely concerning,” said Campoli.