The South Etobicoke News

Serving Humber * Mimico * Lakeshore Village * Long Branch * Alderwood

Club that was scene of a shootout in New Toronto temporarily shut

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An alleged afterhours club associated with recent early-morning gunplay that sparked outrage among New Toronto residents has been shut for now.

The venue, at Lakeshore Blvd. W., and Ninth Street, has been under the microscope since a horrific September 8 shootout in which more than 80 bullet casings were found in the aftermath of an alleged gender-reveal bash.

Area Councillor Mark Grimes, in an update, said eight officers from 22 Division, four agents from Municipal Licensing & Standards, and another from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, visited the ‘event-space’ on September 12 to conduct a check.

‘We attended the space to find out if it was operating in compliance with established bylaws,” Grimes wrote on social media.

“The venue was found to be operating without the proper business license and Toronto Fire found violations contrary to the Ontario Fire Code,” he noted. “The business cannot operate until they bring these matters into compliance, which likely won’t be for approximately two months.”

The City will be working with Toronto Public Health to confirm if the space is compliant with Public Health regulations.

“They’re going to go over everything with a fine-tooth comb,” Grimes said.

City officials said the business hasn’t applied for a permanent liquor license.

Grimes said with event spaces, those who are renting the space are responsible for securing their own Special Occasion Permit (SOP) to allow for the temporary sale of liquor. These permits are administered by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission.

City officials are to be notified of any indoor SOP applications that are submitted at the address.

Irate residents have been calling without luck for a meeting with local police and politicians to talk about the shootout in which more than 80 shots were fired by rival groups. Shots damaged about a dozen vehicles and burst a gas pipe.

The Toronto Police Centralized Shooting Response Team are investigating the incident and anyone with information are asked to contact 22 Division at 416-808-2200, or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477.