Video shows man unwittingly escape death after gun pointed at his head appears to jam

Toronto police make footage public in attempt to track down assailants

A man’s unwitting escape from a gunman, whose firearm appeared to jam as they tried to shoot, has been caught on camera.

Police made footage of last week’s incident in Toronto public in an attempt to track down two of the people involved, one of whom went on to shoot another man just minutes later.

The video, released by the Toronto Police Service (TPS), shows an unidentified man holding a walking stick and smoking outside a car park shortly after midnight on 23 May.

Two people in hoods – one in white, another black - approach the man, who has his back turned and appears to be wearing traditional Muslim clothing. One of the assailants walks up behind the man, holds a gun to the back of his head, and appears to pull the trigger.

After the gun fails to fire, the two assailants turn and walk calmly away, with the man apparently unaware of what just happened.

Just eight minutes later, at 12.51am, footage shows a 42-year-old man standing on a street corner, when he is approached by two assailants, both of whom appear to take out firearms.

The man runs and is followed into a building by the attacker in a white hoodie. As the fleeing man reaches a flight of stairs, he is shot in the back, before the assailant turns and flees the scene along with his accomplice.

Toronto police said the victim was taken to hospital and later released, after being treated for a gunshot wound.

A spokesperson for the TPS told The Independent they were still looking for the assailants.

Four days later, four men aged 18 to 22 were arrested in the same Regent Park neighbourhood of Toronto on 97 different charges.

Police allege the four men were in a car when one got out and fired towards traffic and pedestrians. It is believed no one was struck.

After police boxed the car in, the driver reversed, smashing into a police car before running into a uniformed officer.

Police were then forced into a chase as the car drove into oncoming traffic. After crashing into two taxis and narrowly missing pedestrians, the driver lost control and collided with another police car and some rubbish bins.

All four men got out the car and attempted to escape on foot, but were eventually apprehended. Police found two guns at the scene.

Authorities are urging anyone with information over the 23 May incidents to contact Toronto police on 416-808-5100, or Crime Stoppers on 1-800-222-8477.