Brampton Man Charged After Shootout and Carjacking in Toronto

A Toronto police vehicle is shown parked on Yonge Street in downtown Toronto on Jan. 3, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Doug Ives)

A southern Ontario man has been taken into police custody after a shootout and the carjacking of a rideshare vehicle carrying passengers near Toronto’s waterfront left several people injured over the weekend. Toronto Police Service officers responded on July 12 to a report of gunshots fired east of downtown Toronto, according to a police press release. Two suspects exchanged gunfire just before 3:30 a.m. near Polson and Cherry streets before one of them stole a rideshare driver’s car with four passengers aboard, police allege.

“While fleeing the scene, the accused struck pedestrians and vehicles,” police said, noting that the suspect was taken into custody. Police did not offer any details about how the suspect was apprehended. Two individuals were transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds and another was admitted after being hit by a vehicle.

The suspect was also shot and taken to the hospital, police said, but didn’t provide details on whether he sustained the injuries during the alleged shootout or after. All of the injuries were non-life-threatening, the police added. A firearm was recovered from the stolen rideshare vehicle, police said.

Brampton resident Omar Abdul Singateh, 25, has been charged in connection with the incident. He faces one count each of reckless discharge of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm while prohibited, robbery, four counts of forcible confinement, dangerous operation causing bodily harm, and dangerous operation. The early morning shootout occurred just hours after an unrelated shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair Latin music festival left two people dead and five people with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police have not released details on what they believe motivated the early morning shootout and said there are no descriptions for the second suspect at this time. The investigation is ongoing.