Toronto’s chief of police says the fatal shooting of a pregnant woman that “shocked the city” is a “very solvable” homicide case.
Police Chief Mark Saunders addressed reporters at a news conference Tuesday about the fatal shooting of Candice “Rochelle” Bobb. The 35-year-old pregnant woman was riding in a car with three other occupants at approximately 11 p.m. Sunday night in the neighbourhood of Rexdale when she was gunned down. She was pronounced dead a short time later. The other three occupants escaped injury.
Bobb, who was approximately five months pregnant at the time of the shooting, was rushed to hospital, where her baby was delivered via emergency C-section. The baby is still in hospital in stable condition.
At the news conference, Saunders said that there is “no doubt” in his mind that the shooter is talking about the crime.
“And whoever they’re talking to, we want them to talk to us,” Saunders said, later adding that police are appealing for information “because it’s a very solvable case.”
Saunders acknowledged the “significant increases” in gun-related deaths and violence in Toronto in recent months, and said the “tragedy” of a pregnant woman being shot and killed reminds the city and police “of the threats we face.”
The chief also said while there’s “no simple solution to complicated problems,” police are using all the resources at their disposal to track and analyze crime, and put criminals before the courts.
The anger and concern expressed over Bobb’s homicide and other crime must be channeled into “tangible action that increases the ability of our city of Toronto to beat those who commit to cause violence,” Saunders added. “We know we have work to do, to rebuild our public confidence.”
Police canvassing area
Investigators who are searching for Bobb’s killer say it’s too early in their investigation to say whether the incident was gang-related or Bobb was targeted.
Bobb and the other people in the vehicle were returning from a recreational basketball game at the time the shooter opened fire.
Police officers were out canvassing the area for witnesses on Tuesday, and are in the process of reviewing area surveillance images for any clues into the deadly shooting.
