Lawyer says gun involved in shooting at east-end Toronto McDonald’s was legal

TORONTO – The lawyer for a security guard involved in the fatal shooting of two men at an east-end Toronto McDonald’s early Saturday says the gun that was involved was “lawfully possessed.”

Lawyer Craig Penney says his client was involved in an altercation at the restaurant and that he has since been released from hospital.

Police said on Saturday that an armed security guard, who was apparently in the restaurant to buy food, discharged his weapon following a “significant physical altercation” with two men.

Det.-Sgt. Terry Browne says the altercation took place somewhere near the food counter and there were between 15 and 20 customers and staff in the McDonald’s when “multiple shots” were fired before 3 a.m.

Police say the two unidentified men, believed to be aged 25 and 40, were pronounced dead at the scene, while the security guard was taken to hospital for treatment of a hand injury.

Browne says the guard, who was employed nearby, is co-operating with investigators.

Penney says his client is “grateful to be recovering from his injuries,” is “appreciative of the way in which the police are dealing with the matter” and “is thankful to his company for supporting him.”

“We confirm that the firearm involved was legal and that it was lawfully possessed,” Penney said Sunday in an email.