A teen's dream of becoming a Toronto cop died with him when he was fatally shot in a hail of gunfire in his west-end neighbourhood.

Robert Flagiello, 18, was killed around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when a gunman fired multiple shots at a group of men standing in a dark laneway outside a Caribbean restaurant at Vaughan Rd. and Glenora Ave., Toronto Police said.

His red Jeep was parked in its usual spot yesterday in the driveway of the Vaughan Rd. home where he and his family lived. Five men, who fled to a nearby barber shop after the shooting, were detained by police as possible witnesses and released. One suspect is being sought.

Police had Glenora Ave. taped off yesterday as officers searched for spent shells and other evidence. So far, they have recovered six casings. Police were also looking for surveillance tapes from area businesses.

Flagiello's grieving uncle and aunt, Domenic and Pat, were at the murder scene yesterday talking to officers.

"He always wanted to be a police officer," Domenic said. "It is something that he always dreamed of."

Flagiello was studying to become an officer and had filled out paperwork to join the Toronto force, he said.

"His dream is lost," Domenic said. "We have lost a young man who wanted to make this city a better place."

The teen leaves behind his grieving parents, two younger sisters and an older brother, he said.

Neighbour Shayne Watson said his son and Flagiello graduated from high school together. "My son is taking the news pretty hard," Watson said. "He used to hang out with my kid all the time."

Police are searching for the shooter, who's described as a young black man about 6-foot-2 and dressed in black. He was last seen running north on Glenora.

"I don't believe the victim was the intended target," homicide squad Det. Hank Idsinga said. "We believe he was at the wrong place at the wrong time."

Flagiello had no criminal record and was not known to officers. Residents like Clevert McLaren were left waiting to get their vehicles that were parked behind police security lines.

"I saw the young man in his truck all the time in the summer," McLaren said. "He really liked that truck."

Resident Ezira Wallace was waiting for his Sentra that was hit in the roof by a stray bullet.

"I am glad the car can drive and there's nothing wrong with it," Wallace said. "The situation could have been a lot worse."

The death is Toronto's 51st homicide of the year and seventh in the past 13 days. At this time last year there were 67 homicides.

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SHOTS FIRED

A TROUBLED NEIGHBOURHOOD

- Nov. 12: Robert Flagiello, 18, was shot and killed while standing with friends in a dark alley near a bar at Vaughan Rd. and Glenora Ave. A single black male shooter is sought.

- Oct. 11: A 16-year-old was shot and wounded near Oakwood Ave. and Vaughan Rd., while hanging out with friends. The boys were approached by three men, one of whom pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the leg and fled. There were no arrests.

- Feb. 22: A man was shot in the hip and pistol-whipped after he got into a dispute with three other men on a bus on Oakwood Ave. near Vaughan Rd. Police were looking for three black men in their early 20s.

- February 2007: Kimel Foster, 21, was shot dead and three others wounded after a violent altercation near closing time at the Town Talk bar on Vaughan Rd. near Oakwood Ave.