A GUNMAN has killed one person and injured seven others after opening fire in a shopping mall in Toronto, Canada.
The man, who is on the run, sparked panic when he fired into a crowded food court.
Two of the victims, including a 13-year-old boy, were in a critical condition last night.
Marcus Neves-Polonio, 19, said he was working in the food court at the Eaton Centre when he saw a man pull out a gun and start firing.
Hannah Stewart, 21, a shopper, said: “All of a sudden a herd of people were just running toward us, a massive crowd of people screaming, running, freaking out.”
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Bill Blair, the head of police, said the gunman had been aiming at one person but shot five bystanders. A 25-year-old man died at the scene. Two people were trampled during the panic, including a pregnant woman who went into labour after she was pushed to the ground.
Rob Ford, the mayor of Toronto, said: “It’s terrible when you hear something like this. My heart goes out to the families that have been affected by this terrible crime. We have to apprehend this shooter.”
Blair said police have a description of the suspect, who fled. They have completed a search of the shopping centre and have been reviewing CCTV footage.
He said: “A lot of innocent people were hurt and a lot of innocent people were put at risk.
“We are receiving a lot of co-operation from the people that were present in the foot court.”
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Witnesses said they heard multiple shots and hundreds of panicked shoppers sprinted for the exits. The mall, one of the city’s top tourist destinations, was quickly evacuated.
Crowds of shocked bystanders watched from outside as an injured man with bullet wounds was wheeled out on a stretcher.
Erica Solmes, manager of the McDonald’s restaurant in the food court, said she heard about 15 shots.