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Instead of candles, this birthday party had handguns.

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There are many, and all of them entered Canada illegally from the United States. There are so many, in fact, that this anniversary reunion could easily turn into a Death Day party – for dozens of people.

The city dodged a bullet. In fact, 54.

Police believe a video posted to social media showing people dancing to rap music and waving their guns in the air is linked to this case and is an important part of their ongoing investigation as they attempt to determine the two rival gangs and the motive. While the weapons were inside, police say, the shooting happened outside when a car entered the area with occupants who shot at the people leaving the party, who in turn fought back.

It was a war on the streets of Toronto. Dodge City or Wild West are descriptors that have been used with this one. But others say it’s reminiscent of Chicago on the weekend or East Los Angeles. Toronto, according to police sources, now has the same stock of American weapons as these cities. That’s why we’ve had 116 more shootings this year compared to last year, according to Toronto police statistics.

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This incident started with what we see in this bizarre and cheeky video taken at what was supposed to be a friendly birthday party. It was anything but.

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At approximately 11:20 p.m. on November 11, Remembrance Day, guns in a recording studio at Queen and Sudbury streets. came out and lit up the night sky in such a way that dozens of people hid for cover, including two police officers in an unmarked car caught in the middle of the chaos.

In the morning, bullet holes were visible on the doors, windows and in the police car.

Staff superintendent. Joe Matthews of Detective Operations said the city was lucky no one was killed since “countless lives” were in close proximity to the crossfire.

“It’s a miracle,” Matthews said, adding “bbullets pierced the front, rear and sides of the (unmarked police) vehicle” and “narrowly missed the officers and the riddled cars and surrounding buildings.”

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Matthews added “wWhat makes this situation even more alarming is the context in which these firearms were found. The arrested individuals were attending a birthday party at this location. Not only did they brazenly display these weapons on social media, but they also brought them out onto our streets and engaged in an irresponsible gunfight.

The participants in this party would be between “16 and 30 years old” and would not have been afraid to show off their illegal equipment. The whole thing is both astonishing and disturbing.

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Like rats, you see 16, but there are many more you don’t see.

“These weapons are a stark reminder of the real and present danger that illegal firearms pose to our community, to innocent citizens and to our officers who courageously respond to these incidents,” Matthews said.

Police seized 16 during that incident, but not before 54 bullets were fired. They managed to make the arrests before 50 more bullets were fired into the chamber.

“Many of the firearms seized have been modified to fire fully automatic,” said Insp. Paul Krawczyk of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force told reporters.

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Krawczyk and his team have been busy this year. They are as overworked as the public order officers who participate in the demonstrations every evening. This is the 406th shooting in 2024, 40 of which resulted in homicides. No one knows how deadly it could have been.

Of the 23 people arrested, eight have so far been charged, including a youth who has now been charged with second-degree murder for the shooting death of Matthew Bergart, 30, last spring at a residence along Lake Shore Boulevard. W. As my colleague Brad Hunter reports today, the killed victim was a professional gamer. The young offender accused of her murder was also hit with numerous firearms-related charges in this incident.

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Police now say two of the defendants were on bail and one was subject to three firearms bans. But they are still investigating. More information is coming and further charges are expected. They have placed 72 so far.

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So far, those accused of many firearms offenses are Osman Aim, 21, of Toronto, Dante McGregor, 26, of Toronto, Lester Lamptey, 30, Nathaniel Browne, 24, of Oshawa, Samuel Bowen, 24, of Toronto, and Samina Adams, 24. Ras Montague, 20, of Toronto, was charged with two counts of breach of recognizance.

They have all been taken into custody and will appear in court this week. None of the allegations against them have been tested in court. But what was tested was Toronto police’s resolve to help make arrests and get guns off the streets.

During this birthday party, 16 firearms were seized. But police know more people are crossing the border just in time for the next rally at which Toronto may not be so lucky.

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