In a shocking incident in North York, Toronto, a 79-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. The accused, identified as Ciro Garofano, allegedly drove his vehicle into three people outside an apartment complex in a deliberate attack.
The Tragic Incident
The horrific event unfolded on Wednesday around 12:40 p.m., in the area of Victoria Park Avenue and Cassandra Boulevard. Police and emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of a vehicle collision involving pedestrians.
Eyewitness Derek Bailey, a resident of the building near the incident, described seeing Garofano driving a white vehicle toward a group of people at the bottom of a staircase. “All of them were hit, and one woman got stuck under the vehicle,” Bailey recounted. He disturbingly noted that the driver ran over the woman three times, circled back, and then ran over her a fourth time.
Victims and Suspect
The victims include a 61-year-old Toronto woman, who was pronounced dead at the hospital, and two other individuals who sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Det.-Sgt. Brandon Price of the Toronto Police noted a “familial relation” between Garofano and the victims, though he did not provide further details on the nature of their relationship.
Community and Resident Reactions
The community and residents of the apartment complex have been left in shock and mourning. Rudy Wachtel, another resident, spoke of the chaos and distress that ensued following the attack. He described the immediate police response, where an officer handcuffed Garofano at the scene.
Legal Proceedings
In court proceedings conducted via video link, Garofano, wearing a white jumpsuit, spoke only to give his name. He has been remanded back into custody, with the court ordering no contact with a list of individuals. At this point, no motive for the attack has been provided.
Ongoing Investigation
As the investigation continues, the motive behind Garofano’s actions remains unclear. The Toronto police are working to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident. The statements from the surviving victims are expected to be crucial in the ongoing investigation.
