Police respond after brazen drive-by shooting

Drive-by shooting shakes york region

An act of violence with ties to organized crime rattled the quiet village of Schomberg, Ontario last winter and was met with horror and shock within the small community, across York Region and the Greater Toronto Area.

A brazen, day-time drive-by shooting, where the intended target was misidentified, resulted in a 65-year-old man suffering serious injuries.

Police responded to reports of a shooting in the rural community around 8:40 p.m. on February 12, 2023. The victim had been walking his dog on a residential street when a car passed by him at a high rate of speed. Multiple gunshots were fired from the vehicle and he was struck several times. The suspects then fled.

The victim went through a lengthy recovery process, but survived the ordeal.

Investigators learned that the suspects, believed to be members of the Mara Salvatrucha street gang, known as MS-13, were hired by an organized crime group to kill a man. The suspects targeted the wrong person.

An investigation known as Project Rebellion, led by our Major Projects Unit, began shortly after the incident to track down those responsible.

Detective Sergeant David Noseworthy of the Major Projects Unit said that MS-13, a well-established gang based out of Central America, is known for its violence.

The investigation required a delicate balance of pursuing the suspects and preserving public safety.

“We had to gather our evidence and all along be mindful of the potential that these guys could attack someone else at any time,” said Detective Sergeant Noseworthy.

Between May 18 and June 1, 2023, police executed 11 warrants across Toronto and Hamilton. As a result, eight people were charged, three of them with Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Attempted Murder, along with weapons and drug charges. Officers also seized a handgun, an AK-47 assault rifle, ammunition and $60,000 worth of cocaine and fentanyl.

The success of this investigation is thanks in large part to assistance from the public.

“The people in Schomberg were amazing,” said Detective Sergeant Noseworthy. “We had multiple eye witnesses to the vehicle and people in the community shared their video surveillance. We had a lot of co-operation from the community.”

“We remain committed to preventing these acts of gang violence from further plaguing our region.”

detective sergeant david noseworthy

YRP is also grateful for assistance from the Hamilton Police Service and the Toronto Police Service.

“We remain committed to preventing these acts of gang violence from further plaguing our region,” said Detective Sergeant Noseworthy.

Following Project Rebellion, the Major Projects Unit formed closer ties with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security, organizations with extensive experience investigating MS-13.