Charges stayed for 5 of 8 accused in shootout outside Toronto music studio

Charges have been stayed against five of the eight people accused in a shootout near a Toronto recording studio last month.

Court documents show the charges were stayed Friday at the request of the prosecution.

Police said last month that eight people were facing more than 30 firearms-related charges between them after two groups exchanged gunfire near Queen Street West and Sudbury Street the night of Nov. 11.

They said three people got out of a stolen car and opened fire on a group outside a recording studio where dozens of people were attending a birthday party. Police said some in the group fired back at the three.

No injuries were reported but police said several bullets struck an unmarked cruiser occupied by two officers who were in the area for an unrelated investigation.

Toronto police said Friday that their investigation continues and additional arrests are “anticipated” as investigators piece together what happened that night.

More than 20 suspects were arrested following the shooting, including a 16-year-old youth from Brampton who police allege murdered Toronto online poker star Matthew Bergart earlier this year.

Bergart was found shot in home in the Long Branch Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West area of Etobicoke on April 25.

A high-stakes online poker player, Bergart “was a skilled poker pro who mostly played online,” according to PokerNews.com. The outlet reports his nickname was the “Mysterious Canadian” and that he came in 825th in the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event winning $18,535.

Police say three suspects wearing ski masks entered the home and shot the 30-year-old who was rushed to hospital where he died of his injuries.

The accused cannot be named due to a provision of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.