Police deem downtown Toronto condo shooting deemed ‘accidental discharge’
Global News
By David Shum and Jessica Patton
14 December 2018

Toronto police say a shooting inside a condo building in downtown Toronto that put a man in his 20s in hospital was a case of an “accidental discharge.”

Police responded to a call around 3 a.m. Friday at 12 York Street near Bremner Boulevard and Lake Shore Boulevard.

“Our officers arrived on scene fairly quickly. They did find a man suffering from gunshot wounds. His injuries were very serious,” Const. David Hopkinson said.

“When our officers got there, he was found in the lobby.”

Toronto paramedics said a male victim was transported to hospital. Police said he is in stable condition.

Police said the man was shot inside a 16th floor Airbnb rental unit where a gathering was taking place. A portion of the condo building lobby was also cordoned off by police tape.

Thorben Wieditz with Fair Bnb – a coalition lobbying Toronto to regulate how short-term rentals work – said he’s heard of issues with AirBnbs in 12 York.

“You end up with parties that over pill in the hallways that damage the condo buildings [and] keep people awake,” he said, adding there’s a possibility that about half of the condos in the building could be AirBnb rentals.

“Everyone just walks in and out freely. Nobody at the desk checks, even when there’s a lineup of people outside who clearly don’t live there.”

New regulations were set to come into effect in the city last summer but challenges caused a delay – now it is under appeal, which could delay the process until summer 2019.

The regulations would have banned anyone from renting out of a home, or part of one, that is not their principal residence for less than 28 days.

“We came up with a regulatory framework that would have prevented these types of problematic and dangerous incidents from coming forward,” said Coun. Joe Cressy.

“We did our part at the city and it’s now time, in my opinion, for Air BnB to do its part and abide by the regulations whether there’s an appeal under way or not.”

Police said they are no longer searching for suspects.

“Whether they are suspects or not, the running makes it suspicious and our investigators will like to speak to them,” Hopkinson said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.


Comments from newspaper readers
CityNews Report

TSCC2510 RESIDENT
Unfortunately ICE has a problem with Airbnb / short-term rentals. It is allowed as stated in the condo declaration sadly. A place people call home should not be treated like a hotel. Always random people coming in and out with suitcases like an airport. Nothing can be done unfortunately. Something needs to happen and Airbnb needs to be banned from downtown condo buildings. It’s unfair to those who call this place home.
December 14, 2018 at 1:03 pm

AISAM
Toronto needs a forward-thinking councillor to step up and do something about Airbnb units flooding downtown condos with strangers. This is not the first or last time this will happen. The vast majority of Airbnb guests are simply annoying, taking up elevator space with their luggage and expecting residents to play the role of hotel concierge, directing them to the amenities. There is, however, a minority of guests that are dangerous and simply use condos as cheap hotel party rooms. Considering the disruptive nature of Airbnb, the city must allow condo boards to hold referendums on short-term rentals that accommodate for absent landlords and 2/3rd majority requirements, which is what blocks condo boards from doing anything about this.

Also: why the landlords are posting on Airbnb instead of taking advantage of current rental rates, I have no idea. They would actually be better off renting the unit to a tenant.
December 14, 2018 at 3:22 pm

LUDIVINEBEAUFORT
The ICE buildings are already an abomination – ugly, poorly built, lousy buildings. Now this. One more reason to stay away from investing in that property.
December 14, 2018 at 6:32 pm

COBVI
Few weeks ago (12/1) around 3AM there was a tactical unit searching for someone in the same Ice Condo (south tower)
December 14, 2018 at 9:27 pm

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