Eight people face numerous weapons charges following a shooting between two groups of people in front of a recording studio In the west of the city, nearly 100 shots were fired Monday evening, according to police.

In an update released Thursday morning, police said three individuals stopped outside a recording studio located at 1196 Queen Street West just before 11:30 p.m. and opened fire on a group of people gathered there. ‘outside.

The individuals in the recording studio returned fire, forcing the first three shooters to hide behind an unmarked police car with plainclothes officers, who were in the area for a bail compliance check.

As the three attempted to flee the scene, their stolen car was rammed by another unmarked police vehicle, forcing the trio to flee on foot.

Police say one of the three was captured, but the other two remain at large. Police also recovered several firearms fired by the fleeing suspects.

The individuals who returned fire from the recording studio attempted to flee the scene, throwing their firearms in trash cans as they left, according to police. A person was arrested and found to be in possession of a handgun.

Officers also arrested several other people inside the recording studio while recovering “numerous firearms.”

Of the 23 people arrested, eight have been charged, and police anticipate more charges will be laid as their investigation continues. Two of the eight accused were on bail at the time of the shooting, while the teenager was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Osman Aim, 21, of Toronto, Dante McGregor, 26, of Toronto, Lester Lamptey, 30, of Toronto, Nathaniel Browne, 24, of Oshawa, Samuel Bowen, 24, of Toronto, Samina Adams, 24 from Toronto, and a 16-year-old from Brampton is all face a total of 67 firearms-related charges while Ras Montague, 20, of Toronto, was charged with two counts of breach of recognizance.

Police also revealed the Brampton teen was also charged with second-degree murder. the shooting of Matthew Bergart on April 25who was found with a gunshot wound inside an apartment building in the area of ​​Lake Shore Boulevard West and Long Branch Avenue. He later died in hospital.

Police said Bergart was visiting a friend at their home at the time of the incident, which they described as a “violent home invasion.”

The youth cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Staff superintendent. Joe Matthews said the seized weapons are a stark reminder of the real and present dangers illegal firearms pose to the community.

“What makes this situation even more alarming is the context in which these firearms were found. The arrested individuals were attending a birthday party at this location. Not only would they brazenly display these weapons on social media, but they would also take them out onto our streets and engage in a reckless exchange of gunfire,” Matthews said. “It’s a miracle that no one was injured or killed.”

Matthews also called it “deeply concerning” that those arrested were between the ages of 16 and 30.

“It should alarm us all that the youths we arrested were already heavily involved in serious activities and armed with high-powered firearms,” he said, noting that all the firearms seized came from the UNITED STATES.

“This highlights the ongoing challenge of cross-border firearms trafficking and the urgent need for strengthened measures to prevent illegal firearms from entering our communities. … This speaks directly to the growing concern about our current bail system and highlights the urgent need for bail reform,” Matthews said.

“When people who already face serious charges can so easily obtain firearms and continue to engage in violent criminal activity, it becomes clear that changes are necessary to protect the safety of our communities. …the fact that these individuals not only possess these weapons, but use them in such a brazen manner, should concern all members of our community.