Former Gang Member Teaching a Prison-Style Bootcamp Shot in Toronto Park

A man at an outdoor fitness class in Toronto's Christie Pits Park allegedly shot the instructor—a former gang member—in what the victim's lawyer is calling a targeted attack. Alejandro (Jose) Vivar, who, according to a witness, was shot four or five times, had been teaching a prison-themed boot camp Saturday morning that was part of the fitness business he'd created after being released from jail.

Vivar, who is a father of two boys, is currently in hospital and in serious condition, but is expected to survive, according to CBC. Another person at the park was hit in the foot by a bullet.

Prison Pump, a free fitness camp that was part of non-profit gym 25/7 Fitness, was a project Vivar had "dreamed about starting," according to the gym's website. "This is proof that anything we put our minds to can be accomplished," Vivar is quoted saying on the site.

The fitness camp is described as a "workout that prisoners use to get lean and muscular and come out of prison recreated; mentally and physically."

After serving an 8.5-year sentence at a medium-security correctional facility in Ontario, Vivar was released in March of this year and, according to the gym's site, began working as a personal trainer four days later. Vivar was serving time for gun and drug charges after being arrested in 2007 with nine others as part of a drug-trafficking investigation, his lawyer said. According to the Toronto Star, police believed that Vivar headed the Latino Americanos (L.A.) Boys, a street gang.

In a piece for The Kingston Whig-Standard that was part of a "Prison Diary" series, Vivar wrote: "I entered prison a gangster, convicted of serious crimes. It was the only lifestyle I knew for as long as I can remember, and my first year in prison was a battle between being a gangster for the rest of my life and recreating myself into something brand new."

After 8.5 years in prison, Vivar is now offering Prison Pump- free boot camp every Saturday! — BookClubsForInmates (@booksforinmates)June 8, 2016

According to police, the suspect in the shooting was described as black with short cornrows, 25 to 30 years old, with thin build, and about 5'9" tall. At the time of the shooting, police said he was wearing a black baseball cap, hoodie, and sweatpants bearing logos, light-coloured running shoes, and sunglasses. As of Sunday, police were still looking for the suspect, who they described as "armed and dangerous."

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