Westbound lanes of Toronto's Gardiner Expressway have reopened after a frightening incident where a moving vehicle was struck by gunfire on Friday morning. The shooting prompted a significant police response and a temporary closure of the busy arterial route, causing traffic disruptions during the late morning hours.
Police Investigation Underway After Morning Shooting
According to authorities, Toronto police were called to investigate a report of a vehicle that had been shot at on the Gardiner Expressway. The incident occurred late on the morning of Friday, December 5, 2025. Initial reports indicate the vehicle was travelling on the expressway when it was hit by gunfire. The exact location along the Gardiner and the circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under active investigation by police. No injuries were immediately reported in connection with the incident.
Traffic Disruption and Lane Reopening
In response to the shooting, police closed the westbound lanes of the Gardiner Expressway to allow for a thorough investigation of the scene. This closure created significant backups and delays for commuters and commercial traffic heading out of the downtown core. After police completed their initial on-scene work, all westbound lanes were reopened by approximately 11:06 AM EST. Traffic cameras operated by CP24 captured the scene as police worked and traffic began to flow again.
The reopening brought relief to the city's transportation network, which relies heavily on the Gardiner as a key east-west corridor along the lakefront. Police have not released details about any suspect vehicle or potential motives, and they are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage from the area around the time of the incident to come forward.
Ongoing Concerns for Public Safety
This incident on a major Toronto highway highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and gun violence in the city. While such shootings on heavily trafficked expressways are relatively rare, they pose a severe risk to the public. The investigation is being handled by the Toronto Police Service's traffic services and major crime units. Authorities are expected to continue their investigation by reviewing traffic camera footage and speaking to witnesses.
The quick reopening of the lanes was necessary to mitigate the widespread traffic impact, but it underscores the challenge police face in balancing public safety during active investigations with the need to maintain the flow of traffic in a major metropolitan area. Further updates from the police are anticipated as the investigation progresses.
