The wave of gun violence in Toronto continues with yet another incident that left a man critically shot and fighting for his life.
Toronto police responded to a shooting that occurred in the St. James Town neighbourhood just before midnight yesterday. A male victim was reportedly found bleeding out on the street in front of a Food Basics in the area. He was at the brink of death, with the bullet having hit one of the major arteries in his neck.
Upon arriving at the scene, one of the officers quickly ran to the victim's side and immediately applied pressure to the wound, slowing the flow of blood until emergency crews arrived. Paramedics rushed the man to the nearest hospital where he underwent surgery under critical condition.
In the meanwhile, officers searched the vicinity and found a suspect hiding behind a parked car. He tried to run away, but he was eventually caught and arrested, and his fire arm was also seized from his possession.
The suspect was later identified as Keeron Tashmel Creary, 26, of Toronto. Creary has received several charges including attempted murder, possessing an illegal firearm, and using it with intent. There is no word on whether the suspect and victim knew each other, and the investigation is still ongoing.
As of now, the victim is stable and doctors expect he will make a full recovery. Investigators have reason to believe that the officer's quick thinking saved the man's life.
Setting examples one case at a time
This isn't the first time a Toronto cop has been applauded for acting honourably under stressful condtions. Back in April, Constable Ken Lam made headlines for refraining to shoot the suspect behind the van attack, despite the suspect being armed and taunting him to shoot.
"As a former police officer and someone who studies police issues, including the use of force, this situation is a case study on how things can go very right."