Two men killed in what police describe as a targeted shooting in Vaughan on Wednesday afternoon have been identified. The Chief Coroner confirmed that Pasquale Casciato, 49, and Christian Belsito, 34, both of Vaughan, died from gunshot wounds.
Details of the Incident
York Regional Police Homicide investigators are appealing for witnesses following the double murder that occurred outside a home in the area of Kaiser and Forest Drs. around 5:30 p.m. Officers responded to reports of shots fired and found two men outside the home suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Const. Kevin Nebrija stated that one of the victims lived at the residence where the shooting occurred, while the other lived in the area. He also noted that other people were inside the residence at the time of the shooting.
Community Shock and Police Response
It is absolutely shocking to the community here and to anyone who may have heard or seen anything, Nebrija told reporters at the scene. It is not often that homicides occur, especially in broad daylight. While it is concerning for us, we do have our homicide investigators looking very much into it to find out who is responsible and exactly why that happened today.
Police are asking any witnesses who have not yet spoken to them, or anyone who may have security video from the area, to come forward. Anyone with information can contact the Homicide Unit by calling 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7865, or emailing homicide@yrp.ca. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting www.1800222tips.com.
Suspects and Vehicle
Nebrija said police are on the lookout for three males who fled in a blue SUV immediately after the shooting. He also mentioned that an SUV was later reported to be on fire in the Huntington-Kirby Rds. area east of Bolton, and that the vehicle matched the description of the one seen fleeing the shooting. Our investigators are working to determine if both incidents are related, Nebrija added.
The shooting was reported about an hour after police in Peel Region responded to a gunfire incident in Brampton that left a male victim with serious injuries. Peel Regional Police said they responded to a shooting in the Lambeth St. and Lancewood Cr. area of that city at about 4:30 p.m., where a male was found with gunshot wounds and rushed to a trauma centre.
