security footage
In an effort to assist in an ongoing homicide investigation into the death of Anthony Soares, 33, Toronto police have in a rare move released graphic footage of the man being gunned down in a lobby. Toronto Police

In a rare move for a homicide investigation, Toronto police released graphic surveillance footage of the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Anthony "Fif" Soares, a friend of rapper Drake who was murdered on Thursday.

Soares was killed just before 3 a.m. outside the lobby of a Toronto Community Housing complex when two unidentified individuals opened fire at close range while Soares was awaiting entry, according to the Toronto Sun.

Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux said Soares had been dropped off at the residence by a friend shortly before the attack. The suspects reportedly drove past the friend’s car, at which time the individual fled. But the witness to the incident later returned to the scene of the crime, and Giroux noted he has been cooperative during the investigation.

A 17-second clip released by Toronto police showed the two hooded killers unloading as many as two dozen rounds and continuing to fire even after Soares hit the ground. The killers then fled the scene in a four-door white Ford Fusion.

“It certainly was very focused, certainly overkill (and) Mr. Soares was clearly the target of the attack,” Giroux said Tuesday. “The video shows both of the weapons locked in the open position, which indicates that the weapons are now empty.”

Separate security footage of the suspect and the getaway vehicle were also shared by the authorities.

Describing the small lobby area in which Soares was waiting at the time of his murder, Giroux said he “was trapped between the inner foyer area and the offenders, who were on the opposite side of the glass.”

Following news of Soares’ murder, Drake took to Instagram to share his condolences.

“RIP to one of our family members...our brother,” the rapper wrote. “I still can't even believe this morning was real. It was [an] honor to have shared years together and I will always keep your memory alive.”

Giroux said he hoped the superstar would use his social media platforms to aid in the investigation into the death of Soares, with whom the victim’s family said the rapper was close.