A shooting took place at the Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto during last night’s celebration of the Raptors winning the NBA Championship which left four injured and many fans in attendance shaken up. One of those fans happened to be NJPW and IMPACT Wrestling announcer Don Callis.
Fans were shown fleeing the Nathan Phillips Square as gunshots were heard which led much of the crowd seeking safety where they could and Callis appeared to one of the several fans that found safety in the basement of the Eaton Centre. Callis Tweeted out the following during the very frightening situation:
Shots fired in Eaton Centre and I am trapped with terrified people in the basement
— The Invisible Hand (@TheDonCallis) June 17, 2019
Survived.
— The Invisible Hand (@TheDonCallis) June 17, 2019
Three people were arrested and two firearms were found in connection with the shooting:
SHOOTING:
Nathan Phillip's Square
**Update**
-4 victims located
-None of the injuries are life threatening
-3 people arrested
-2 firearms recovered
-Investigators wish any video to assist in investigation
-Please use portal: https://t.co/NGv3aZdlDO
^dh— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) June 17, 2019
A brief rundown of the occurence is below courtesy of The National Post:
TORONTO — Hours of anticipation gave way to unbridled euphoria as a sea of Raptors fans greeted the newly crowned NBA champions with cheers, whistles and chants on Monday, but elation quickly turned to fear when gunshots interrupted the celebration in downtown Toronto.
Moments after the team emerged on stage during a rally at the end of a victory parade, the sound of gunfire sent dozens of panicked supporters running from the one end of Nathan Phillips Square, grabbing friends and children as they fled.
The festivities were briefly suspended as one of the hosts alerted the masses, most of whom had been there since the morning, that there was an emergency. Organizers urged the public to stay calm and the event resumed shortly afterwards.
Police later said four people had suffered injuries related to the shooting. Three people were arrested and two firearms were recovered, they said.
Some fans said they feared for their lives and remained shaken even after the situation returned to normal. Others said the shooting, though frightening, should not mar the festivities.
“It’s so horrible that that happened but we are united as a city and that shouldn’t define who we are or what today was about,” said Ahilan Sivakumar, 19.
Several had huddled near pillars in Nathan Phillips Square even as the team and several dignitaries — including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford — remained on stage during the rally. Others dashed into a nearby hotel or leapt into bushes to get out of the way. The ceremony wrapped up a short time later.
Andrew Singh said he heard what appeared to be gunshots before people started scrambling.
“We just saw the girl drop to the floor and the guy running off,” the 29-year-old said. “ All I heard was bop bop bop.”
