Violent home invasion in Toronto ‘horrific’, real estate CEO says as police search for suspects

A Toronto family injured in a violent home invasion in the city’s affluent Bridle Path neighborhood said the attack turned the safety of their own home into a “frightening and life-threatening experience,” as police searched for three suspects.

In a statement released Friday afternoon, David Morton, CEO of Toronto-based real estate firm MAC Group, said three members of his family were recovering in hospital after being shot in the attack Thursday morning. He said the four family members were also attacked with hammers.

“What should have been the safety and security of our own home became a frightening and life-threatening experience,” Morton wrote.

“It is difficult to put into words the trauma of experiencing something so terrible in the one place where everyone should feel safest: in their own home.”

All four members of the family are expected to survive, although two people reportedly suffered life-changing injuries.

Police first received a report of three people shot inside a residence on Hyde Park Circle around 3:40 a.m. Thursday.

Investigators said a father, mother and their two adult daughters were inside when a masked suspect armed with a gun and a hammer forced his way in through the back door.

Police said the suspects walked to the second floor and demanded valuables before an argument broke out with the family. Several shots were fired, hitting the father and his two daughters.

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Police said Friday that the three suspects were men believed to be around 20 years old who were wearing dark clothing and face masks. They were considered armed and dangerous and fled the scene in a dark-colored SUV.

Morton said the family is now focused on recovering from the attack but is also “deeply concerned” by the increase in violence related to home invasions in Toronto.

“No family should have to experience this. People should be able to sleep peacefully in their homes without fear of armed people breaking in and threatening their lives,” he wrote.

He urged anyone with information to come forward.

“We sincerely hope that the individuals responsible will be identified, arrested and brought to justice.”

Toronto Police Inspector. Kristy Smith said Thursday that it was unclear whether anything was stolen or whether the home was specifically targeted.

“Usually in affluent neighborhoods there are good things,” he said. “There are always people out there who want to get good things.”

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said his force was working to identify and locate the suspects, with some of the most experienced investigators and a special team assigned to the case.

Police said residents in the Bridle Path area can expect an increased police presence in the coming days.

So far this year, 119 home invasions have been reported in Toronto, an increase of more than 32 per cent over the same period last year, police said in an email.

Morton said his family had received a lot of support following the attack.

“The outpouring of kindness means the world to us during this very difficult time,” he wrote.

The family asked for privacy as they recover.

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A family of four were injured during a violent Bridle Path home invasion