Arrests in gang-related shootings that killed, injured bystanders: Toronto cops

Toronto police say they’ve arrested suspects in two high-profile shootings in which innocent bystanders were caught in the crosshairs of alleged gang-related violence.

Chief Mark Saunders says the arrests came Tuesday afternoon while officers were searching a home in neighbouring York Region.

Saunders says officers arrested two suspects who had been the subject of Canada-wide search warrants for at least the past two years.

T’Quan Robertson was wanted on two counts of attempted murder related to a shooting at a playground that injured two sisters, ages five and nine.

Alexander Fountain was wanted in connection with the 2017 death of 24-year-old Samatar Farah, who police have previously said was an innocent victim in a turf war between members of rival housing complexes.

Saunders says more information on both arrests, as well as the ongoing investigation that produced them, is expected on Wednesday.

Saunders described the long-sought arrests as a “proud moment” for the force.

“It speaks to the street gang subculture issues that we’re dealing with on a day-to-day basis right across our city,” he said at a news conference, noting neither Farah nor the young sisters had any reason to be in harm’s way.

Saunders said police made other arrests at the York Region home, but offered no other details. Formal charges against Fountain and Robertson were not immediately announced.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2020.

  

The Canadian Press