0 
0 Toronto police say a 16-year-old arrested in a dramatic incident this week where 100 gunshots were fired outside a Queen Street W. recording studio has now been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a homicide from earlier this year.
Police say the teenager was among 23 arrested in connection with Monday night’s shooting, which also resulted in 16 guns being seized.
The teenager is charged in connection with the shooting death of 30-year-old Matthew Bergart, who was killed in an alleged home invasion in the Long Branch Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West area.
‘Miracle’ nobody was killed in Monday shooting: Police
Monday’s shootout happened as plainclothes officers were in the Queen Street W. and Sudbury Street area looking for a man wanted in connection with a robbery, Staff Sgt. Joe Matthews told reporters.
Police allege a stolen car pulled into the FreshCo parking lot and three people got out and opened fire at the recording studio — which is in the back of the Queen Street block of buildings — where a birthday party was taking place.
Matthews confirmed that a video posted on social media may have led the gunmen to the studio.
“Not only were they allegedly brazenly displaying these weapons on social media, but they also brought these firearms out into our streets and engaged in reckless exchange of gunfire,” said Matthews.
Toronto police have charged eight people and seized 16 firearms in connection with the shootout between two groups outside a Queen Street W. recording studio this week. Staff Supt. Joe Matthews said one group was attending a birthday party and allegedly filmed a video showing multiple guns.
After the initial gunfire, those inside the studio came out and returned fire. Matthews confirmed a number of bullets struck an unmarked police vehicle.
Somehow, nobody was injured in the barrage of gunfire.
“It is a miracle that nobody was injured or killed,” Matthews said.
Two of the three suspects from the vehicle who initially started firing are still outstanding. Police say they boxed in their vehicle and arrested one person after a foot chase.
Officers then entered the recording studio and took more people into custody, along with one individual who was leaving the recording studio and found in possession of a gun.
Twenty-three people were arrested after Monday’s shootout, with eight of them being charged, police said.
Police said they recovered several firearms that were left behind by those running away, with some weapons being discarded at the garbage bins at the recording studio and other areas. Police say the recovered firearms are all from the U.S.
Police strengthen calls for bail reform
Earlier this week, three Ontario police associations already called on the federal government to take “immediate action” on implementing stricter bail policies in the aftermath of Monday’s shooting.
Two out of the eight people who were changed were out on bail, Matthews said Thursday, adding that the 16-year-old charged with murder was under a firearms prohibition.
“This speaks directly to the growing concern around our current bail system and underscores the urgent need for bail reform,” said Matthews.
