A man accused of shooting at multiple vehicles on Highway 401 was arrested Wednesday night after he shot a man and stole another victim’s car in Toronto’s east end, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) said.
Troy Ledrew, 29, is accused of repeatedly discharging a firearm and attempting multiple carjackings on Wednesday night. One person was critically injured.
During a news conference, TPS Duty Insp. Steve Campoli said the “dangerous individual” was seen pointing his gun at numerous vehicles and pulling the trigger.
Ledrew was accused of similar criminal behaviour in the early morning hours of Tuesday when he allegedly shot at passing vehicles on Highway 401 before stealing a car and fleeing the scene. More than 10 motorists reported having their vehicles struck by gunshots, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said in a press release. None of the motorists reported serious injuries.
On Wednesday, the OPP identified Ledrew as the suspect in the highway shootings and warned he was “armed and dangerous.”
Later that day, Toronto police said officers received reports of a shooting near Dundas Street East and Carroll Street around 7:15 p.m. A man was found shot and left with life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to the hospital. The man’s condition is unclear as of Thursday morning.
In an update Thursday morning, police said Ledrew, who was carrying a handgun, approached a vehicle stopped at the red light and tried to open the door. Ledrew then allegedly fired the gun which struck the driver causing serious injuries.
He then approached another car and tried to open the door. Police said he again fired the gun, but "narrowly" missed the driver.
Ledrew allegedly approached two more vehicles and tried to enter. On his fifth attempt, police said Ledrew pointed his gun at a driver, who exited the car.
The TPS said the suspect entered the vehicle and fled the scene in the stolen car.
SHOOTING:
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) November 28, 2024
Dundas St and Carroll St
7:15 pm
-reports of a carjacking
-a male has been shot
-suspect fled in victims' car
-police o/s
-male transported to hospital via emerg run
-car located, abandoned
-brief foot pursuit
-one male in custody
-firearm recovered#GO2579911
^lm
Police said officers eventually intercepted Ledrew at around 7:40 p.m. near Lakeshore Boulevard and Carlaw Avenue after he abandoned the vehicle he was driving and fled on foot.
“Toronto police officers gave chase and located the individual and arrested him,” Campoli said at a news conference Wednesday night.
Ledrew was arrested in possession of a firearm, Campoli noted.
Charges against Ledrew were announced on Thursday morning. He is facing 27 different charges including two counts of attempted murder, six counts of robbery with a firearm and six counts of theft of a motor vehicle involving violence.
Campoli told reporters police are still working on determining a complete timeline of what took place, but he emphasized there is no further threat to public safety.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the individual at the hospital and their family,” Campoli said of the critically injured man.
OPP Det. Insp. Sean Chatland spoke to reporters at the scene on Wednesday night and thanked the TPS for arresting Ledrew.
“We’re extremely grateful for our partners at the Toronto Police Service and their role in apprehending our accused. Additionally, I would like to thank the public for their numerous tips and all the dash cam footage that has been brought forward,” he said.
