Four people were hospitalized following a violent home invasion and shooting in Toronto's upscale Bridle Path neighborhood, not far from Drake's mansion.
According to Toronto police, officers responded to reports of a shooting at a residence on Hyde Park Circle on Thursday (Oct. 29). During a news conference, Toronto Police Inspector Kristy Smith revealed that three masked suspects armed with handguns and a hammer entered the home through a rear entrance.
Once inside, the suspects confronted a family of four, consisting of a father, mother, and their two adult daughters, and demanded valuables.
A struggle reportedly broke out, leading the suspects to fire their weapons "multiple times," Smith said.
The father and both daughters suffered gunshot wounds, while the mother was struck with a hammer during the attack.
All four family members were transported to a hospital for treatment. Police said two victims sustained life-altering injuries, while the other two suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities have not confirmed whether the suspects managed to steal anything from the residence.
According to police, the three suspects fled the scene in an SUV and remain at large. Investigators have not released descriptions of the individuals involved.
Smith said detectives are working to determine whether the family was specifically targeted, whether the suspects had been monitoring the neighborhood, and what prompted the attack.
"We recognize how frightening and disturbing an incident like this is," Smith told reporters. "People should be able to feel safe in their homes."
The incident has left residents shaken, particularly given the neighborhood's reputation for expensive properties and heightened security.
Neighbor Cecil Hawkins described the attack as "a terrible shock and tragedy," noting that homes in the area generally have strong security measures.
Hawkins also referenced the May 2024 shooting outside Drake's nearby Toronto mansion, which left a security guard seriously injured.
"The attack on Drake's house was awful, but he's a celebrity and you don't think it's ever going to happen to you as a more normal person," Hawkins said.
"Shooting people in the house seems mind-boggling that they would actually do that. It's a defenceless homeowner. Why would they react that way?"
Police have not suggested that Thursday's home invasion is connected to Drake or the previous shooting at his property. Authorities expect to maintain an increased presence in the Bridle Path neighborhood as the investigation continues.
