Motive unclear after drive-by shooting at Drake’s Toronto mansion

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Instead of velvet ropes for VIPs, there was yellow police tape outside Drake’s palatial mansion after a security guard was gunned down early Tuesday morning in what has been confirmed by police as a drive-by shooting.

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Around 2 a.m. police responded to his home on Park Lane Circle, known as “The Embassy,” after a report that somebody had been shot outside the front gates.

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There have been suggestions that a security guard came out from behind a high, black, gated entranceway on the north side of the international rap star’s mansion after a car was seen going back and forth blaring music. Police would not confirm that series of events.

At some point, suspects in the undescribed vehicle opened fire, striking the guard in the upper body, possibly the right arm, according to a source.

Late Tuesday afternoon, police said the victim, whose identity has not been released, remained in hospital with serious life-threatening injuries

Orange police markers could be seen on the grass near the north entranceway on Tuesday and forensic officers went to and fro collecting evidence and bringing it to their police van.

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A BMW sedan, a stretch limo, a large white customized F-150 pickup truck and motorhome were all parked inside the crime scene as police took measurements and collected evidence.

Toronto Police Insp. Paul Krawczyk, of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force, said the victim was “working, apparently, as a security guard at the residence. He was standing outside the gates in front of the residence when the shooting occurred.

“We have individuals who obviously performed this shooting who were seen in a vehicle. I do not have a description of that vehicle.

“I cannot speak to a motive at this time because it is so early.”

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Krawczyk said he could not confirm whether Drake was home at the time of the shooting.

“But I can tell you we (police) are in contact with his team and they are co-operating,” said Krawczyk.

The veteran officer and investigator would not speculate about the recent feud between Drake and California rapper Kendrick Lamar with the Drake song The Heart Part 6 dissing Lamar and the latter firing back insults on Not Like Us.

Lamar used an aerial photo of Drake’s mansion as artwork for Not Like Us.

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Four security guards lingered around the crime scene for most the day waiting for the yellow tape to drop.

A woman who lives in the area, named Cynthia or CeeCee to her friends, came riding up on a bike and started shooting video and images.

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“I kind of think it is kind of depressing what is going on and where we live,” said CeeCee.

“There is security out here all the time. When I heard there was a shooting I thought somebody had tried to break in.

“And maybe the security had tried to shoot them.”

Things became a bit surreal as media set up to await a news conference. Actor-director Matthew Johnson — who played Doug Fregin in the 2023 Canadian feature film BlackBerry — showed up on site in character for another film, with his trademark headband a la U.S. tennis great John McEnroe, along with two cameramen plus another actor.

Johnson said they were filming a new feature and it was perfect timing to use the massive media presence on Park Lane Circle as a backdrop for filming.

The Bridle Path area is home to some of Toronto’s most elite. Directly across the street from Drake’s home is that of the late Canadian legend Gordon Lightfoot.

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