Real-estate CEO and family shot in masked raid on Toronto mansion

David Morton, 75, and his two daughters were shot during a 3.40am home invasion in Toronto. His wife was struck with a hammer by three armed suspects still at large.

Toronto CEO describes 'horrific' early-hours attack in which family were shot

David Morton, a 75-year-old real-estate tycoon, has spoken publicly about a violent home invasion at his multimillion-dollar mansion in Toronto's Hyde Park Circle neighbourhood, in which he, his two daughters and his wife were all seriously injured.

The Sun reports that three masked suspects in ski masks and hoodies forced entry into the property at around 3.40 am on Friday. Two were armed with handguns; a third carried a hammer.

Morton and one of his daughters were shot in the leg, while the other daughter was struck under the arm. His wife, Doriana Zohil, 64, was beaten with a hammer. All four were transported to hospital with serious injuries. Two of the victims sustained "life-altering injuries," Toronto Police Inspector Kristy Smith said at a press conference, while the other two suffered non-life-threatening wounds.

Morton's daughters — Maggie and Christina, both in their 20s — were injured as the family attempted to fight off the intruders. The suspects climbed to the second floor of the property and demanded valuables before firing their weapons multiple times, according to Smith.

"It is difficult to put into words the trauma of experiencing something so horrific in the one place where everyone should feel safest: their own home," Morton said in a statement to the NY Post. "No family should ever have to experience this. People should be able to sleep peacefully in their homes without fear of armed individuals breaking in and threatening their lives."

Smith said it remained unclear whether the suspects left with any stolen property. They fled the scene in an SUV. Police have launched a large-scale manhunt and are searching for three men believed to be around 20 years old. "The suspects are considered armed and dangerous," the force said in a statement.

Asked about motive, Smith said: "I'm not quite sure what their motives are at this time and whether or not they were in the area looking at other houses prior." She also noted a recent increase in violent home invasions in wealthy parts of the city, pledging the force would do "everything that we can" to locate the suspects.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said "violence is not acceptable in our city" and called on anyone with information to come forward. CCTV footage from the mansion has been handed to police.

Hyde Park Circle is one of Toronto's most affluent streets and is also home to rapper Drake.

Source: The Sun