How did this Toronto murder suspect amass an "arsenal" of legal guns?

Plus, getting antivirals to Ontario's hot spots, a shooting on a Nwe York Subway [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on a Toronto murder suspect with a stockpile of legally-owned firearms, the equitable distribution of a COVID-19 antiviral and the Brooklyn subway shooting that turned a morning commute into a horror scene.  DON’T MISS Supplied Photo/Toronto Police Service homicide [A Toronto man with a legally owned “arsenal” was arrested for two shocking murders]( A 39-year-old man accused of killing two strangers in unprovoked daylight shootings last week had accumulated an “arsenal” of legally owned firearms, Toronto police say. The victims — including a [21-year-old international student from India]( — were killed within 48 hours. “What was this guy planning next?” a detective asked in an interview with the Star. “What was the next move?” [Here’s what we know about the murders and the suspect](. - More: Elijah Eleazar Mahepath, 35, and Kartik Vasudev, 21, both have brown skin. Police said they did not want to speculate on whether the shootings were racially motivated. They believe they were “random” — “a chance meeting, a chance passing.” - Another angle: John Tory said the shootings raise the question of “why people who live in cities need to have guns,” while the president of the Canadian Coalition of Gun Control questions whether proper checks are being done. “You’re far more likely to be called for a reference on a passport than for a reference on a firearm’s licence,” she said. - Watch: Toronto police explain [why they believe the two deaths are linked](. R.J. Johnston/The Star sixth wave [Why Ontario’s hardest hit areas must be prioritized in Paxlovid rollout]( With COVID-19 infections spreading at unprecedented rates, Ontario has expanded eligibility for the antiviral Paxlovid. But advocates say that equitable distribution of the drug will require a return of the education, outreach and community support efforts made during the vaccine rollout. Here’s how advocates and front-line workers are working to inform hot-spot residents about antivirals and [why they should be among the first in line for the drug](. - Wait, what? Paxlovid helps to keep higher-risk people out of hospitals, but it needs to be taken within five days of symptoms appearing. - Now what? The province will publish a list of pharmacies dispensing Paxlovid today. One advocate noted the importance of which pharmacies are selected, citing concerns about the rapid test rollout. - Why it matters: [Antiviral pills are not getting to the people who need them most](. - ICYMI: [Just 20 per cent of rapid tests went to Ontario’s COVID-19 hotspots](. John Minchillo/AP Photo mass shooting [A gas-masked gunman opened fire on the New York subway]( Wearing a gas mask, a gunman set off smoke grenades and fired at least 33 bullets on a rush-hour subway train in Brooklyn Tuesday, shooting 10 people. At least 29 people were taken to the hospital, and five were in critical condition but expected to survive. The morning commute turned into a horror scene, as bloodied people lay on the platform and others administered aid, The Associated Press reports. [Here’s why police believe someone who rented a van could be connected to the mass shooting](. - More: A semi-automatic handgun, a hatchet and smoke grenades were found at the scene of the shooting. - Recent violence: New Yorkers have faced an increase in violence in recent months, including other shootings, and the heinous incident in which [a stranger pushed a woman in front of a subway train](. - The aftermath: New York Mayor Eric Adams has pledged to increase the police presence at subway stations. WHAT ELSE Claims of chemical weapons being used in Ukraine are raising a question: [“what if?”]( Canada is fighting Russian aggression with sanctions. [But are they actually working?]( Doug Ford draws fire for comments he made during the [chief medical officer’s Caribbean vacation](. The Ontario [NDP says it will review policy]( after a Brampton MPP loses his chance to run again. Patrick Brown vows in a video to [end Canada’s “terrorist” designation for Tamil Tigers](. Workers “have more cards to play than ever” as wages rise. [So, will you pay go up?]( Just 15 per cent of homeowners [hold nearly one-third of Ontario’s housing wealth](. Higher interest rates on Wednesday will [help cool housing prices]( experts say. A Brampton father confronts an alleged carjacker trying to steal his SUV [with a baby in the back seat](. A mother is pleading for information after the [shocking Wasaga Beach abduction]( of her daughter. Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board [upheld a ban on Chelsea Manning]( due to her U.S. conviction for revealing documents that exposed American troops’ conduct. [Gilbert Gottfried has died at age 67](. Here’s how his fellow actors and comics are reacting to the news. POV Canadian Press/Nathan Denette [Blasting Kieran Moore for his vacation? We’ll need him on our side, for bigger battles.]( CLOSE-UP Associated Press Photo SOUTH AFRICA: Stranded people stand in front of a bridge that was swept away in Ntuzuma, outside Durban, South Africa on Tuesday. Prolonged rains and flooding in the KwaZulu-Natal province have claimed dozens of lives, according to local officials. Thanks for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_117772). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](