Toronto police are searching for at least one suspect after a woman was shot in the leg at the York University Student Centre on Thursday night.
She was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A second woman was hit with shrapnel and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. She has since been released from hospital.
Police said the victims were innocent bystanders and were not targeted.
The shooting occurred in the food court at around 10:45 p.m.
A firearm was discharged at the student centre late last night. Two people are reported to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries…
— York University (@yorkuniversity) March 7, 2014
A witness told CityNews he heard a commotion before a shot rang out.
“People started ducking under the tables, and all of a sudden I heard a very loud bang,” Angus said in a phone interview. “Someone yelled ‘gun!’ At that point my friend and I both ducked underneath a table.”
“I was not able to see the shooter.”
The suspect fled on foot. He is described as black, mid-20s, around five-feet eight-inches to six feet tall, with a black hooded sweatshirt and black coat.
York University’s newspaper Excalibur posted a video of the shooting aftermath on YouTube. Watch it below:
The university resumed normal operations by Friday morning.
…. Toronto Police Service is investigating and has advised the campus can resume normal operations.
— York University (@yorkuniversity) March 7, 2014
York U president Mamdouh Shoukri issued a statement on Friday morning. Read it below:
I would like to express my thoughts and concerns for our two students who were injured when a firearm was discharged on the evening of March 6 on our Keele campus. Toronto Police Service was called immediately and York University is co-operating with Toronto Police Service in their investigation.
Our immediate focus is on supporting the two students and their families, and in providing counseling support for York Community members. Senior University representatives have been with the victims at the hospital, and I am appreciative to hear that both are receiving the treatment they need. I am thankful to understand their injuries are non-life threatening.
As we have resumed normal operations, the University has taken several measures to enhance safety on campus, including increasing security patrols and the use of Toronto Police Service.
Any member of the York community wishing to speak to a counsellor can contact Counselling & Disability Services at 416-736-5297.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed or has information about the shooting to call police at 416-808-3100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article indicated both women had been shot.