2 in critical condition after man on bike opens fire on pedestrians: Toronto police

Two people are in critical condition after a man riding a bike opened fire on a group of pedestrians in Toronto's west end early Friday morning, police say.

The shooting happened around 2:40 a.m. in the area of King Street W. and Sudbury Street, Toronto police said.

A group of friends were walking in the area when they were approached by a person riding a bike, Duty Senior Officer Todd Jocko told reporters Friday. "Words were exchanged" and the group carried on their way, he said. Shortly after, the suspect approached the group again, pulled out a firearm and opened fire.

A man and a woman, both in their 30s, suffered serious, life-threatening injuries and were taken to hospital, where they remained as of Friday afternoon, Jocko said.  

"This is a violent and brazen act," he said.

Investigators do not believe the victims and suspect were known to each other.

The suspect then fled west on Sudbury Street. Jocko said police could not confirm what type of bike the man was riding, including whether it was motorized, electric or pedalled.

Police are canvassing the area for video, and are asking anyone with video, or who witnessed the incident, to come forward.

"We hope to release more details as soon as possible," Jocko said.

Several neighbours told CBC Toronto they woke up to loud noises in the middle of the night and looked out their windows to see police lights follow shortly after.

Joe Koole said he woke up to what he thought was the sound of a motorcycle revving then backfiring.

"My wife came up and said, 'I think there was a shot, Joe,'" he said.

Rohsni Nayar, who lives across the street, said she heard a frantic scene.

"There was a girl screaming and crying for help, and it sounded really scary," she said.