A tragic shooting incident in North York has left an 8-year-old boy dead. The shooting occurred early Saturday morning outside an apartment building on Martha Eaton Way. Toronto police received reports of gunfire around 12:27 a.m. and quickly responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, officers found the boy who had been struck by a stray bullet while he was sleeping in his bed. Paramedics transported him in critical condition to a local pediatric hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Detective Sergeant Jason Davis of the homicide unit addressed the media at the scene around 11 a.m. He described the event as a "cowardly, disgusting act of violence" and confirmed that the boy was a resident of the apartment complex. Davis also mentioned that two other units in the building were hit by gunfire, but there were no additional injuries reported.

Police have not released any descriptions of potential suspects. Investigators were seen working diligently at the scene, with a forensic identification truck parked outside the Altair Rental Living apartment tower. Officers were using various tools, including a metal detector and plaster, to gather evidence.

Residents expressed their shock and sadness over the incident. Olivia Soares, a neighbor, described hearing loud bangs that she initially thought were fireworks. She noted, "It’s really sad, really sad, nobody is safe," and suggested that security cameras should be installed in the area due to frequent violence.

Another neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted returning home from walking her dog and witnessing emergency crews on site. She stated, "I couldn’t tell how old they were from when they took them away."

Police are expected to provide further updates as the investigation continues.