http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/11/30/shooting-girl041130.html (http://http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/11/30/shooting-girl041130.html)


TORONTO - Toronto Police are frustrated over the lack of witnesses coming forward following the shooting of an 11-year-old girl on a city bus over the weekend.

Despite repeated calls for their assistance, investigators said Tuesday that only one of about 40 passengers had come forward to describe what they saw when Tamara Carter was shot.

"It's very frustrating. Here we have an 11-year-old girl that's involved," said Toronto Police Insp. Bernie Power.

"And we have people who have information out here but are allowing people to remain on the loose when they should be in custody."

Police said most of the passengers had fled the scene before they arrived.

Tamara and her mother were riding on the bus on Sunday afternoon when a gunman opened fire on another man.

A stray bullet struck Tamara just above her eye and passed through her face.

Doctors say she could lose sight in the eye. But fears she may have suffered permanent brain damage were allayed when doctors revealed Monday that the bullet did not penetrate her skull.

Tamara was reported in stable condition.

The intended target of the shooting, a 24-year-old man, also remains in hospital with gunshot wounds to the head, stomach and leg.

Tamara's shooting was met with shock and outrage, but police say gun violence is a daily occurrence in Toronto.

Det. Sgt. Gary Keyes noted that about 130 people have been shot in the city this year, and that the police have recorded about 850 occurrences involving firearms in 2004.

The attack has also renewed calls for Toronto Transit Commission vehicles to be outfitted with security cameras.