Cops release videos of brazen November shooting at Toronto recording studio

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Cops released videos from inside a Toronto recording studio last November that show individuals recklessly flaunting their guns and partying before they come under fire from a rival gang outside the building.

Toronto Police said the targeted address on Queen St. W., east of Dufferin St., contained some recording equipment but was attended by individuals who were there celebrating one suspect’s birthday.

On Thursday, cops announced an additional 14 people have been arrested and 105 new charges laid in the brazen gunfight that erupted on Nov. 11, 2024.

“That incident was an audacious, reckless and dangerous exchange of gunfire that occurred in downtown Toronto,” Supt. Paul Macintyre said at a news conference at police headquarters.

“It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was injured or killed, including innocent civilians or our police officers.”

In the video clips, attendees are seen casually playing with their guns, waving them in the air, and resting them in their laps.

“This was a group of individuals who seemed alarmingly comfortable not only carrying illegal firearms, but also treating them like props at a party,” said Insp. Paul Krawczyk, of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force.

“What started as reckless posturing escalated into chaos as we allege they began to fire back at a rival gang, wildly spraying bullets into the street without any regard to human life. It’s shocking behaviour that underscores the danger these individuals pose in our community.”

Cops also revealed nine suspects are still wanted in the ongoing investigation, dubbed Project Poppie, including a man who was 17 years old at the time of the shooting.

Krawczyk called the shootout an “egregious act” that happened in the city.

“Guns treated like toys and lives treated as afterthoughts,” he added.

In the aftermath of the gunfire, 23 people were arrested, eight were charged, and 16 firearms were seized, police said. However, upon further investigation, charges were stayed against five people.

Police said a 16-year-old boy from Brampton, facing eight firearm possession offences, was also charged with second-degree murder for Matthew Bergart’s killing in April 2024.

According to police, plainclothes officers from the 52 Division Major Crime Unit and Public Safety Response Team were conducting an investigation outside of a building in the Queen St. W. and Sudbury St. area.

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Investigators allege three armed individuals arrived in a stolen vehicle, stepped outside the vehicle and fired numerous rounds towards the back of 1196 Queen St. W., which was being operated as a recording studio.

Shortly after the initial gunfire, individuals inside the building shot back and the original three individuals took cover behind an unmarked police vehicle, cops said. The police vehicle, with two officers inside, was hit by several bullets.

The three original suspects attempted to flee the area, but their stolen vehicle was struck by another unmarked police vehicle, police said. One suspect was arrested and the other two escaped on foot.

Cops searched the area and recovered several firearms that were thrown away by the fleeing suspects. Individuals inside the building also fled, tossing their firearms in garbage bins and other areas.

One person found leaving the recording studio was arrested. That person was in possession of a handgun, police said.

Officers then entered the recording studio, taking several other people into custody. Numerous firearms were seized, including some that were modified in order to be capable of fully automatic fire, cops said.

Krawczyk gave thanks to the officers who responded to the gunfight that night and put their lives at risk.

“They found themselves in the middle of a firefight and responded with such bravery,” he said. “These officers put their lives on the line to arrest numerous individuals and seize a significant number of firearms that night.”

Police said Hakeem Thomas, 23, Faisal Musah, 25, Liban Guedi, 24, Trevaun Gregory, 19, Ras Montague, 20, Reggie Amankwa, 30, Kristian Carter-Lopez, 23, Jahneil Brown, 26, Aisosa Osadebamwen, 19, a 17-year-old boy, Jahvon Myles, 18, and Tevon Hutchinson, 21, both of Brampton, and Ajmain Rahman, 27, of Mississauga, have been charged with various firearm offences.

Firanz Toni, 32, of Toronto, is accused of two counts of failing to comply with a release order.

Musah is also accused of failing to comply with a probation order and breaching a conditional sentence order. Hutchinson is also facing a charge of possession of property obtained by crime. Amankwa, Brown, Osadebamwen and the 17 year old boy were also charged with failing to comply with release orders.

Earlier in the investigation, police laid 16 firearm charges against Osman Aim, 21, of Toronto, and two counts of failing to comply with a recognizance against Montague.

Police said Caleb Odulate-Stewart, 25, Olad Olad, 25, Jahmarley Smith, 23 and Dylano Williams, 25, all of Toronto, Mohamud Kheyre, 28, Jahdane Hamblett, 22 and Johnary Walker, 19, from Brampton, and Noah Belnavis-Essue, 19, of Mississauga, and an 18-year-old man are all wanted for various firearms offences.

In addition, Olad is accused of failing to comply with a release order, Walker is facing a fail to comply with release order and fail to comply with undertaking charges, and Belnavis-Essue is accused of breach of probation.

The unidentified man, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, is also wanted for failing to comply with a youth sentence.

Police believe not all of the wanted suspects are in the Greater Toronto Area, but some are.

“These people can’t outrun the fact that they are wanted and they will come into contact with police and they will be in our custody at some point,” Krawczyk said.