Mall parking lots across the GTA have seen several violent incidents take place over the past few weeks, prompting concern from both police and members of the public. 

What's going on in/around #Toronto #Vaughan #Mississauga mall parking lots lately? @ShopSTC: 2 separate shootings in past 2 weeks.@YorkdaleStyle: officer stabbed.@vaughan_mills: man arrested with crossbow and a knife.@shopSQUAREONE: man shot.

— Matt (@matt_ever_free) July 22, 2020

Early this morning, Peel Regional Police were called to the parking lot of Square One mall in Mississauga where a man was reportedly shot.

When they arrived, they found the man suffering from at least one gunshot wound and he was taken to a trauma centre for treatment.

He told police he was simply walking with a friend when the gunshot hit.

SHOOTING
- Hammerson Dr / Rathburn Rd W #Mississauga
- R/C 12:29am
- 1 person has been shot, unknown status
- @Peel_Paramedics tending to victim
- High police presence in the area
- Awaiting further info from the scene
- No suspect descriptions as of yet
- 20-0230396 pic.twitter.com/NlsGjsUssa

— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) July 22, 2020

And just yesterday, York Regional Police arrested a man who was waving a crossbow and a knife around in the parking lot of Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre. 

Luckily, no one was hurt in this case and the man was eventually taken into custody. 

Charges laid including weapons and drug possession, impaired and dangerous driving after suspect was arrested with a knife and a cross bow in the Vaughan Mills Mall parking lot yesterday evening. Click the link for more info --> https://t.co/AnSaKcTXL5

— York Regional Police (@YRP) July 22, 2020

On the very same day, a Toronto police officer was transported to a hospital with stabbing injuries while responding to a situation in which a man was armed with a knife and trying to stab someone near Yorkdale mall. 

Our @TorontoPolice officer has been treated, is recovering, and in good spirits.

Thank you to the @TorontoMedics & medical staff at the hospital for taking care of our officer!

Thank you to the public for your outpouring of kind words & support!🙏🏻💙 https://t.co/Bv3K246DbC

— Alex Li (@CopWhoLovesCars) July 22, 2020

This week's events follow a shooting at outside Scarborough Town Centre which killed one person earlier this month, 26-year-old Jordon Marcelle. Police just announced that one of the suspects in that case has been arrested.

The other, however, remains wanted by police and has been identified as Toronto resident Shaquille Jameel Taesean Small.

On July 10, Jordon Marcelle was shot to death outside of the Scarborough Town Centre. After an intense 6 days we arrested Tristawna Christian for murder while attempting to enter the USA. Shaquille Small is now wanted for 1st degree murder. @TPSHomicide @TPS43Div @1800222TIPS pic.twitter.com/N7kBK7IlBN

— Jason Shankaran (@Shankaran5331) July 20, 2020

On that very same day, another shooting took place in a plaza parking lot at 251 Woolner Ave., and 20-year-old Mohamed Sow was tragically killed in the random drive-by incident in which five people were shot.

On July 11, the day after these shootings, Toronto Police told the media they had responded to six gun violence calls in just 12 hours. 

Deputy Chief Shawna Coxon called this "very concerning," and said Toronto's shooting numbers are significantly up from 2019 this year — bringing them closer to what the city experienced in 2018.