Toronto police are seeking three masked men who escaped in a getaway car after walking in and shooting up the Piper Arms Pub on it’s opening night in the Scarborough neighborhood Friday night.
Six people suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds, six others were injured in the attack. Police said surveillance video of the attack shows two men firing handguns into the crowd while the other gunman fired an what looked like an assault rifle.
Speaking to reporters outside the pub shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday, Supt. Paul MacIntyre called the shooting a “brazen and reckless act of violence,” saying it was “extremely lucky” no one died.
MacIntyre said the pub’s surveillance video captured a scene that “horrified” investigators. The three suspects entered the pub wearing masks, one with an assault rifle, the others with handguns, and fired indiscriminately, he said.
“We’ve seen a lot of shootings over the years, a lot of video, you get inured to it to a certain extent, but tonight’s shooting, these guys just looked at the crowd and opened fire,” MacIntyre said. “It was horrible”
The video — which hasn’t been released to the public — shows patrons enjoying food and drink at tables, booths and the bar immediately ducking for cover, once the shooting started, he said. Some fell to the floor after being struck. When police arrived, MacIntyre said some patrons were still lying on the floor, or sitting in the seat where they’d been shot.
The pub floor was still covered in broken glass and blood early Saturday morning, he said…
…Police say they have no descriptions of the suspects, who were wearing face masks, or the vehicle they arrived and fled in. They are asking anyone with information or video of the area around the time of the shooting to contact investigators.
CBC video report:
Video of a briefing by Toronto Police posted by the Toronto Star:
Paul MacIntyre, Superintendent in the Organized Crime Enforcement Unit, spoke to reporters near the scene of the mass shooting at Piper Arms Pub early Saturday morning.
@KGLautens pic.twitter.com/xTTHOehADU
— Toronto Star (@TorontoStar) March 8, 2025
Reaction by officials:
Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted about the shooting on Saturday, “The shooting that took place last night in Scarborough was a brazen act of violence that will not be tolerated. The Toronto Police Service has my full support as they bring those responsible to justice. My thoughts are with the victims and their families, and I’m praying that all those affected by this terrible shooting make a full recovery.”
The shooting that took place last night in Scarborough was a brazen act of violence that will not be tolerated. The Toronto Police Service has my full support as they bring those responsible to justice.
My thoughts are with the victims and their families, and I’m praying that…
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 8, 2025
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, “I am deeply troubled to hear reports of a shooting at a pub in Scarborough. I have spoken to Chief Demkiw and he has assured me all necessary resources have been deployed. This is an early and ongoing investigation – police will provide further details. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
I am deeply troubled to hear reports of a shooting at a pub in Scarborough. I have spoken to Chief Demkiw and he has assured me all necessary resources have been deployed. This is an early and ongoing investigation – police will provide further details. My thoughts are with the…
— Mayor Olivia Chow (@MayorOliviaChow) March 8, 2025
Scarborough Centre Councillor Michael Thompson, “Saddened by last night’s shooting at Piper Arms. I encourage and plead with all citizens to call Toronto Police at (416-808-2500) with any scrap of information they might have. We will not be cowered by those among us who threaten our sense of security and enjoyment of our city.”
Saddened by last night’s shooting at Piper Arms. I encourage and plead with all citizens to call Toronto Police at (416-808-2500) with any scrap of information they might have. We will not be cowered by those among us who threaten our sense of security and enjoyment of our city. pic.twitter.com/sHfbLKLybi
— Councillor Michael Thompson (@Thompson_37) March 8, 2025
Toronto Police issued a statement Saturday afternoon seeking help from the public:
Information Sought in Shooting Investigation, Progress Avenue and Corporate Drive area
Case #: 2025-493659 Published: Saturday, March 8, 2025, 1:34 PMThe Toronto Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in a Shooting investigation.
On Friday, March 7, 2025, at approximately 10:39 p.m., police received multiple reports for a Shooting in the Progress Avenue and Corporate Drive area.
It is reported that:
three male suspects entered a pub
one suspect was armed with what appeared to be an assault rifle
the other two suspects were armed with handguns
as they entered the pub, the suspects opened fire at patrons
12 people were injured, of those, 6 suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds
all victims were transported to hospital for their injuries
Residents will notice an increased police presence in the area.We are urging anyone with information, video footage, or eyewitness accounts to come forward and assist in this investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2510, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
There is unconfirmed speculation the pub shooting is part of a tow truck shooting war in Toronto.
Four shootings near tow truck businesses have been reported this past week, making fifteen two truck related shootings so far in 2025, according to CTV News (excerpt):
Toronto police responded to a shooting near a tow truck yard in Etobicoke on Thursday night, marking the fourth such incident related to the industry so far this week.
Police say that officers were called to a location near The West Mall and The Queensway just before 10 p.m. on Thursday for a report of shots fired.
Police say a vehicle was damaged, though no injuries were reported.
A male suspect was seen fleeing the area in a vehicle, police say.
There was also another firearm discharge at the front of a tow yard near The West Mall and The Queensway on Wednesday, though it is unclear if the two incidents are in any way connected.
Earlier this week police also responded to two other two-truck related shootings within the span of an hour that left three people injured…
…Police have investigated 15 two-truck related shootings and firearm discharges so far this year.
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