Parole documents reveal Toronto-area shooting rampage suspect had extensive criminal history

The suspect in a string of shootings that killed a Toronto police officer and an auto shop owner this week had an extensive criminal record, including ties to a gang at one point.

Parole Board of Canada documents indicate that the man believed to be behind Monday's shootings in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area had a history of robbery, drug trafficking and weapon possession, as well as gang ties.

The Special Investigations Unit has not released the suspect's name because they say his family has not provided consent.

Peel Regional Police originally identified the suspect as 30-year-old Shawn Petry in its provincewide emergency alert on Monday, which warned the public of an "active shooter, armed and dangerous." Sources close to the investigation, who aren't authorized to speak publicly, have since identified the man as Sean Petrie, 40.

The SIU has said four police officers shot at Petrie later on Monday and he died after a confrontation in a Hamilton cemetery.

Parole board documents for a Sean Petrie with the same date of birth as the suspect in Monday's shootings indicate the man was in prison in 2010 — the location is redacted in the parole documents — under medium security and subject to statutory release.

"Your offence cycle as demonstrated by your criminal history is directly linked to the negative influence of criminal others, including those involved in the gang subculture," the board wrote on Aug. 17, 2010.

"Your involvement with these associates has led to your convictions for property crimes, robbery, drug trafficking, and weapon possession."   

The board said Petrie scored a -3 on the Statistical Information on Recidivism scale, which it said means "1 out of 2 offenders will not commit indictable offences after release."

The board imposed a number of conditions on Petrie's release.

Those included no contact with any gangs, including anyone affiliated with a particular gang. The gang's name was  redacted. 

In order to prevent him associating with that gang, the board banned Petrie from entering a swath of northwest Toronto "where the preponderance of your criminal activity has taken place." 

The board also imposed a condition that he abstain from buying and taking non-prescription drugs.

"You have displayed a comfort with possessing cocaine and other narcotics for the purpose of trafficking," the board wrote. "There is also an indication of regular marijuana use that is not advantageous to your rehabilitation. You have refused institutional drug screening resulting in sanctions."