A manhunt is underway across Toronto after three masked intruders broke into a mansion in the city’s exclusive Bridle Path neighborhood early Thursday morning, shooting a prominent real estate chief executive and his two adult daughters and attacking his wife with a hammer, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 3:40 a.m. when three men forced their way through a locked rear entrance of the residence, according to the Toronto Police Service. Armed with handguns and a hammer, the suspects made their way up to the second floor, where they confronted 75-year-old David Morton, chief executive of the MAC Group, his 64-year-old wife, Doriana Zohil-Morton, and their daughters, ages 26 and 28.
Violent Confrontation on the Second Floor
Investigators said the intruders demanded valuables before an altercation broke out as family members attempted to resist. Gunfire erupted during the struggle, wounding Morton and his daughters, Maggie and Cristina. Police confirmed that all three sustained gunshot wounds, while his wife was struck in the head with a hammer. In a written statement Friday, Morton disclosed that all four family members were also struck with the hammer during the assault.
According to reports from the Toronto Sun cited by New York Post and Fox Business, Morton and one daughter were shot in the leg, while his other daughter was shot under the arm. Toronto Police Inspector Kristy Smith reported that two victims suffered what authorities described as life-altering injuries, while the others had injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Morton said in his Friday statement that he and his daughters were still receiving hospital treatment.
“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.
The three suspects, described by authorities as men in their 20s dressed in dark clothing and masks, fled the scene in an SUV. It remains unclear whether the intruders succeeded in stealing any valuables, police said.
Rising Trend of Home Invasions
Police indicated that the household appears to have been targeted simply because of the wealth associated with the area. Bridle Path is among the most affluent neighborhoods in Canada, known for gated estates and prominent past and present residents such as Drake and Celine Dion. In May 2024, Drake’s nearby property was subject to multiple break-in attempts and a shooting that wounded a security guard.
“Typically, in an affluent neighbourhood comes nice things – and there’s always people out there that want to acquire nice things,” Inspector Smith told reporters, noting that detectives were searching the scene to recover spent shell casings to assist in identifying the weapons used.
The brazen attack comes amid a documented spike in residential break-ins across the region. Toronto police data indicates the city has recorded 119 home invasions so far in 2026, marking a 32.2 percent increase compared to the same timeframe last year.
The violence drew sharp condemnation from public officials. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow stated on social media that she was deeply troubled by the incident, asserting that such violence is intolerable and that residents deserve to be safe in their residences. Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre also labeled the assault horrific, urging that the perpetrators be caught and brought to justice.
Investigation Continues
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw announced that neighborhood residents should expect increased tactical patrols as detectives escalate their presence. The Toronto Police Hold-Up Squad has taken charge of the inquiry, warning the public that the unidentified suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.
As of Saturday, investigators have not released detailed descriptions or identities of the suspects. Authorities continue to review neighborhood surveillance footage and urged anyone with information or security video to contact investigators.
