Toronto is reeling from a brazen shooting in the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood that claimed the life of a 31-year-old man and left five others injured. The attack, which unfolded Tuesday evening near Ranee Avenue and Varna Drive—just steps from Yorkdale Mall—has left the community traumatized and reignited urgent calls for action against gun violence.
A Life Cut Short
The victim has been identified as Yahya Ahmed-Mohamoud, a Toronto resident who, according to local officials, was already living with the trauma of a previous shooting in 2018 that left him paralyzed. On Tuesday night, he was seated in a wheelchair when a group of armed suspects approached another group and opened fire. Ahmed-Mohamoud was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
A City in Mourning
At a National Day Against Gun Violence ceremony held Friday at Nathan Phillips Square, Mayor Olivia Chow described the Lawrence Heights attack as a moment that has “shaken all of Toronto.”
“I spent some time in the neighbourhood, speaking with friends of the victims, local residents, and community organizers,” she said. “There’s deep grief and trauma. People are afraid for their kids. But they refuse to let fear define their future—they believe change is still possible.”
Chow expressed both devastation and determination, promising to return to Lawrence Heights in the coming weeks to support peace-building efforts.
No Arrests Yet
As of Friday, police had not made any arrests in connection with the Lawrence Heights shooting. Authorities say the suspects approached on foot and fired into the crowd. The motive is believed to be targeted, though specific details remain under investigation.
The shooting is part of a wider pattern of gun violence in Toronto that continues to trouble residents and city officials alike.
A Troubling Trend, Despite Overall Decline
While the city has seen a 44% drop in shootings compared to this time last year—with 106 shooting-related incidents reported so far in 2025—the impact of gun violence remains profound. Seven people have been fatally shot in Toronto this year, and 47 others have suffered injuries.
Earlier this week, Toronto Police announced several arrests in unrelated shootings, including a mass shooting at the Piper Arms pub in Scarborough in March, and a string of violent incidents linked to the city’s tow-truck industry.
Looking Ahead
City leaders and law enforcement officials continue to grapple with the human toll of gun violence, even amid statistics that suggest broader progress. For residents of Lawrence Heights, however, the pain is immediate and raw.
As Mayor Chow emphasized in her remarks: “The impact of gun violence is far-reaching. It touches every corner of our city—and it must stop.”
