Adored teen girl identified as victim in Toronto mass shooting
A teenage girl who was killed in Toronto’s mass shooting has been described as “smart, passionate and full of energy”.
Reese Fallon, 18, was shot dead when a 29-year-old gunman, clad in black, fired a handgun into restaurants in the city’s Greektown, killing two and injured 13 others, in an attack that has shaken the confidence of many in the normally safe city.
Ms Fallon’s heartbroken family confirmed the news, saying in a statement that they were devastated.
“She was … smart, passionate and full of energy. It is a huge loss,” said Canadian Member of Parliament Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, who knew Fallon.
Frank Hong, a fellow member of the Young Liberals, also paid tribute to Ms Fallon.
“Reese was one of the kindest people, she did not deserve to die this way. Deepest condolences to everyone affected, especially to Reese’s family,” he wrote on Facebook.
Police declined to release the name of the 29-year-old gunman, who also killed a 10-year-old girl, but said he was from Toronto and died after an exchange of gunfire with police.
Police Chief Mark Saunders said he would not speculate on a motive but did not rule out terrorism.
“It’s almost inconceivable that these things can happen,” said Mayor John Tory.
“We were so used to living in a city where these things didn’t happen and as we saw them going on in the world around us (we) thought they couldn’t happen here.”
The 13 wounded were aged from 10 to 59, and suffered injuries ranging from serious to minor, Saunders said.
