The Toronto Eaton Centre shooting: the aftermath

It’s hard to do one good thing, that, sadly, goes unnoticed. And it’s easy to do one horrible thing that will get everyone’s attention.

A day after the events of the Toronto Eaton Centre shooting, the shopping mall is still closed down, community vigils have been organized, and media are trying very hard to put together the details of what happened.

Thus far, one person has been declared dead, and of the seven injured, two remain in critical to critical-but-stable condition, the latter of which is a 13-year-old boy. There are currently rumours circulating that the deceased, as well as one of the injured, had gang affiliations, but so far that’s been unconfirmed. A graphic from the National Post breaks down the damage. (Side note: I really have to give credit to the NP’s graphics department; they’re pretty consistently wonderful.)

They’re also running an interview with a man who was in the food court when the shooting started. He provides a description of the shooter, although admittedly, he casts something of a wide net when discussing the age:

“He was black, he looked 20 to 40 years old. He was wearing a light-brown coat. He had what looked like short dreadlocks.”

Once again, not the greatest description, but chances are, when you’re running with your son away from a crazed gunner, remembering facial features is pretty far removed from your priorities.

Anyway, I know I shouldn’t have to say this, but if you have any information, for god’s sake go to the police. But for now, the best everyone not directly affected by the incident can do is to try and return to normalcy.

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