2 stores shot at on consecutive nights in Kensington Market: police

Police are investigating after two businesses were shot at on consecutive nights in Kensington Market.

Officers were called to the Kensington Avenue and Baldwin Street area on Wednesday around 12:20 a.m. for reports of sounds of gunshots. Toronto police say a business that was empty at the time was shot at several times, damaging the storefront. 

The next night, just after 1 a.m., police were called to the Spadina Avenue and Baldwin Street area for reports of another business shot at.

No injuries were reported in either incident.

Police say it's too early to say if the two shootings are connected, and there is no suspect description at this time.

Local residents and business owners react to the shootings

Nearby residents and business owners say Kensington Market is still a safe place. 

Ping Chu, who owns a store in the market and has been living in the area for over 30 years, said the Wednesday shooting happened right across the street from her house.

"I heard about 10 to 12 'bang, bang, bang,' and I was thinking it was early Victoria Day fireworks," she told CBC on Thursday. 

She said she looked from her window to see what was happening, but was not able to see anything. 

Chu said she hopes the shootings don't discourage people from shopping at the market.

"You hear of all the shootings, gunshots throughout the city," she said. "All these years, it just didn't occur to me that it could happen so close to home."

Business owner Magnus Patterson, who also lives in the neighbourhood, says Kensington Market is still "a nice community" and "family-oriented."

"It's safe here," he said.

Patterson said he heard the gunfire on both nights, but didn't see anything. 

"I was in bed, heard all the shots, looked out the window, and said, 'That's not my business,' and went back to bed," he said. "I woke up the next morning, saw the yellow tape and the police officers," he said.  

He says he thinks the incidents are isolated.