Man killed in shooting outside Marriott Hotel in downtown Toronto

A man is dead after a shooting outside a downtown Torontohotel early Sunday.

The victim has been identifiedas 27-year-oldKabilAbdulkhadir, and police have released an image of him.

Toronto police say the shooting occurred in front of the Marriott Hotel near the intersection of Bay Street and Dundas Street West. Police were called to the scene at around 2:45 a.m. ET Sunday morning.

"We arrived to find a male apparently suffering from gunshot wounds," said Det.-Sgt. Joyce Schertzer. "He was pronounced deceased, and we're still here at the scene investigating."

The homicide investigation closed down parts of Bay St.near Yonge-Dundas Square, from Dundas Street West south to Albert Street, beside Toronto City Hall.

"We haven't confirmed ... any real, concrete suspect description other than that there was some [gun]fire exchanged,"Schertzer said.

Steve Dannunzio was staying at the hotel. Shortly after the shooting, heheard police trying to get into a nearby room.

"I heard all this yelling, police are saying you know, 'We're not going anywhere, get outta here, come out, come out now,'so on and so forth.So I just poked my head out and they're waving me back in the room."

Police lockeddown the hotel after the shooting until mid-morning.Some guests that were out late werebarred from getting back in. One guest told CBC News she slept outside on a set of concrete steps.

Mark Goldrup, the general manager of the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre, released the following statement in response to the incident:

"The safety and security of our guests and associates is a top priority at Marriott International. We are aware of the incident that happened across the street from our hotel ... We are fully co-operating with the local authorities on their investigation of this incident."

Police say they are canvassing the area and appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information by calling the homicide squad at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

Const.Victor Kwong said there are "varying accounts" of what happened after the shooting, including an unconfirmed report that someone fled into the Marriott after shots were fired.

"For precaution, we are holding Marriott as a scene," Kwong said.

Guests of the hotel are allowed to leave the premisesbut cannot take their vehicles outside of the garage. Once guests do leave the hotel, they are not currently allowed to return to the building.