Police identify victim in Yorkdale shooting; second victim now in stable condition

TORONTO, Ont. – Police have identified the victim in Saturday’s Yorkdale shooting as 23-year-old Michael Nguyen.

In a press conference police also said that the second victim was rushed to hospital and is now in stable condition and expected to survive.

Police also confirmed that they believe more than one firearm was used, adding that they are looking for multiple suspects.

The weapons used in the shooting have not yet been found, but police made an effort to assure the public that their safety was not at risk.

Earlier Sunday, a grey car was towed away from the mall by police. They now say that it is “of interest” to them.

The majority of entrances to the mall remained blocked off Sunday with police cruisers and yellow crime tape, while at least dozens of cars remain in the parking lot.

Cars in the north lot, south lot and underground parking have been allowed to leave, although those cars near the crime scene are still being held.

It is not known when the remainder of cars still stuck on the premises will be able to leave.

Evidence markers could be seen littering the parking lot outside of Sears Sunday, where police believe the victims were shot.

The mall was supposed to be closed Sunday regardless, and it is set to re-open on Monday. Customers can still visit the movie theatres and restaurants on Sunday, however.

In a statement Yorkdale Mall said they were shocked by the shooting and cooperating with the police to run a full investigation.

“We take security at Yorkdale very seriously in order to keep our customers safe. We have regular patrols in the parking lot, well trained personnel inside and outside of the shopping centre, and security cameras monitoring most areas of the property,” the statement read.

As far as the shooting itself, Toronto police Det. Rob North says shots rang out around 8 p.m. Saturday night and that police were looking for five or six suspects.

Det. North says two groups got into an altercation inside the mall and then carried the fight outside into the parking lot.

He offered no further information about the shooting victims, the suspects or whether the incident might be gang-related, however, he said no innocent bystanders were targeted or injured.

The shooting comes less than a year after the June 2, 2012 shooting in the Eaton Centre food court in which two died and five others were injured.

Ahmed Hassan, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene, and Nixon Nirmalendran, 22, died later in hospital.