Man, Youth Killed in Targeted Shooting at Brampton School Ground

A teenage boy and a man in his 20s were shot and killed on the grounds of an elementary school in Brampton late Friday night, in what Peel Regional Police are calling a targeted attack that has left the surrounding neighborhood shaken.

Officers were called to the area of Rutherford Road and Weybridge Trail around 10:30 p.m. after reports of gunfire at a school parking lot. Two male victims were found suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, and the identities of the victims have not yet been released.

"There was some sort of altercation that occurred in the school grounds with several individuals. Following that, a firearm or firearms were discharged and two victims were hit," said Peel Regional Police media officer Cst. Laurie McCann. Both victims were shot at the same location. Police say one of them attempted to flee before collapsing a short distance away.

McCann said the shots could have been fired by multiple people. Police say the suspects fled the scene before officers arrived, and it is still unclear whether they escaped on foot or in a vehicle. Investigators have not provided any suspect descriptions. "Our homicide unit has been notified and has taken care of this investigation. I do not have any suspect information to share with you at this time," McCann said.

The preliminary investigation indicates there was an argument between a group of people on the grounds outside St. Joachim Elementary School, which escalated into gun violence. The homicide unit took command of the scene overnight and was canvassing the neighborhood and speaking with witnesses by Saturday morning.

Nearby resident Jeff Weaver described waking to a police presence that extended well beyond the school grounds. "It was unbelievable. I noticed my shed door had been opened as well," Weaver said. "It's something you just don't see every day, but Brampton is certainly changing."

Another resident, John Salazar, said the location of the shooting is particularly troubling. "The neighborhood has changed a lot for the past couple months, and years. I mean, considering it happened near the elementary school, it kind of scares me," he said.

No charges have been announced and the investigation remains active.