Pair of Ajax shootings linked to ongoing Ontario-wide tow truck wars

The pair of shootings reported in Ajax last night have been linked to the ongoing tow truck wars raging across the GTA.

Durham Regional Police reported two shootings in town overnight on Dec. 13. They both occurred “within minutes” of each other around 12:30 a.m. that morning near Salem Road North and Taunton Road East. Multiple rounds were fired but no injuries were reported.

Later that day, police reported that the first shooting actually took place earlier than initially reported, around 10:40 p.m. on Dec 12. This shooting erupted near Wilsongary Circle and Urwin Street, a suburban neighbourhood between Harwood Avenue and Salem Road.

Multiple witnesses in the area called 911 to report the sound of gunshots. When police arrived, they found a home with multiple bullet holes in the front door.

During their investigation, responding officers learned a second address connected to the home had also been shot at. This second home, less than a kilometre north, also had several shots fired into the front door.

The residents of both houses were home at the time of the shootings though no one was hurt.

Security footage from both houses confirmed the shootings took place just minutes apart. The cameras also captured an unidentified suspect wearing a black medical mask. He’s been linked to a white SUV seen leaving the area shortly after the shootings.

“These two incidents are believed to be in relation to the ongoing tow truck violence being seen across the GTA,” investigators later wrote, “While [Durham Police] recognizes that very few tow truck operators and businesses are involved in any type of criminality, there is evidence to suggest some are involved in organized crime.”

There have been numerous criminal incidents related to the tow truck industry reported across the GTA over the last several years. Back in August, Toronto Police announced the arrest of four people, including three teenagers, from Durham Region linked to the tow truck wars.

These suspects are believed to be connected to a murder and 18 other incidents over the summer. This investigation is part of the 43 tow truck-related shootings in the area by that time this year.

Further reported tow truck incidents include arsons in Halton Region, Oshawa, and Clarington over the last year.

“These shootings have a profound impact on our community and are taking place in residential neighbourhoods. Every resident of Durham Region should feel safe in their own home. These crimes undermine that safety and we are working hard to locate and charge those responsible,” police said.

Anyone with information can call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2548 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).