Toronto鈥檚 chief of police says the fatal shooting of a pregnant woman that 鈥渟hocked the city鈥� is a 鈥渧ery solvable鈥� homicide case.
Police Chief Mark Saunders addressed reporters at a news conference Tuesday about the fatal shooting of Candice 鈥淩ochelle鈥� 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 鈥渘o doubt鈥� in his mind that the shooter is talking about the crime.
鈥淎nd whoever they鈥檙e talking to, we want them to talk to us,鈥� Saunders said, later adding that police are appealing for information 鈥渂ecause it鈥檚 a very solvable case.鈥�
Saunders acknowledged the 鈥渟ignificant increases鈥� in gun-related deaths and violence in Toronto in recent months, and said the 鈥渢ragedy鈥� of a pregnant woman being shot and killed reminds the city and police 鈥渙f the threats we face.鈥�
The chief also said while there鈥檚 鈥渘o simple solution to complicated problems,鈥� 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鈥檚 homicide and other crime must be channeled into 鈥渢angible action that increases the ability of our city of Toronto to beat those who commit to cause violence,鈥� Saunders added. 鈥淲e know we have work to do, to rebuild our public confidence.鈥�
Police canvassing area
Investigators who are searching for Bobb鈥檚 killer say it鈥檚 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.
