Police: 4 People Suffer 'Serious' Injuries in Shooting During Raptors' Parade

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured ColumnistJune 17, 2019

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 3: An aerial view of the Toronto city skyline and downtown buildings and Islands and Lake Ontario in the background on May 3, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

The Toronto Police Department confirmed a shooting occurred Monday near Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, where the Toronto Raptors were celebrating their 2019 NBA championship:

Toronto Police OPS @TPSOperations
SHOOTING: Nathan Phillip's Square **Update** -4 victims located -None of the injuries are life threatening -3 people arrested -2 firearms recovered -Investigators wish any video to assist in investigation -Please use portal: https://t.co/NGv3aZdlDO ^dh

Police originally said two victims suffered "serious but not life-threatening" injuries but have subsequently announced four people were treated for injuries related to the shooting. Three people were arrested in connection with the shooting as well.

According to Stephanie Smyth of CP24, police said one of the victims was a woman and were asking for fans to remain calm to avoid a stampede in the square:

Stephanie Smyth @stephaniesmyth
#BREAKING - Toronto Police tell @CP24 woman has been shot at Bay and Queern...appealing for calm from the podium. Stampede feared at Nathan Phillips square.

The Toronto Star's Jennifer Pagliaro shared a video overlooking the celebration that appears to show fans running away from the scene.

Jennifer Pagliaro @jpags
I’m on the roof of city hall and something is happening. People are running including what looks to be cops and security https://t.co/FEbhw88OqI

The Toronto Sun's Antonella Artuso and CBC's Meagan Fitzpatrick shared a look at Nathan Phillips Square from ground level as word of the shooting spread (warning: video contains profanity):

Antonella Artuso @suntooz
Warning: bad language. Fans started running on Bay Street. #WeTheNorh https://t.co/VpfOkEV5pz

Meagan Fitzpatrick @fitzpatrick_m
And again. People running away from the right side. Not sure what’s going on https://t.co/1fEoGoaVMl

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According to Reuters' Tyler Choi, an estimated 2 million people traveled to downtown Toronto for the parade and victory rally. Sportsnet's Faizal Khamisa reported some fans were camping out Sunday night in preparation for the event.

Sportsnet @Sportsnet
THE WHOLE CITY OF TORONTO OUT HERE 🤯🤯 #WeTheNorthDay | @Raptors https://t.co/UK3Oe1VbNM

Sportsnet @Sportsnet
Toronto SHOWED OUT 😧 #WeTheNorthDay | @raptors https://t.co/gxc9xfCojz

The city of Toronto tweeted at 11:59 a.m. ET that Nathan Phillips Square was at capacity and no more fans would be permitted in the area.

The Raptors won their first-ever championship after defeating the Golden State Warriors Thursday in six games in the 2019 NBA Finals.

Toronto FC were the last major sports champions in the city when they won an MLS Cup in 2017.