Police at the scene after a body was discovered on the 2nd floor balcony of 65 Greencrest Circuit in Scarborough, Sept. 7, 2012. (Stan Behal/QMI Agency)

Toronto Police are investigating a murder in a Scarborough seniors apartment building.

Police were called to the Toronto Community Housing building at 65 Greencrest Circuit, just south of Lawrence Ave. around 2:45 a.m. Friday. When officers arrived, they discovered a man dead on the balcony of a second-floor apartment. The victim has suffered “obvious signs of trauma,” according to Toronto Police.

Officers brought in three people for questioning but have not made any arrests. The victim’s identity is not being released at this time, police say.

A large green tarp weighted down with small red pylons screened the second floor balcony from the view of passersby on busy Lawrence Ave. Firefighters were called in to assist with removal of the body, setting up three ladders to the balcony and then lowering the heavily wrapped victim in a rescue basket.

The homicide is the city’s 35th of the year.

Mohammed Azhar, a resident of the highrise building, said he was “shocked” by the large police presence. He had to make his way past a long swath of yellow police tape that extended around the entire building to get out for a walk.

Azhar said he never used to think twice about leaving his apartment door unlocked at night — but no longer.

“From now on, no. I’m got going to take any chances,” he said.

Moyeenul Alam, who lives on the building’s 10th floor, said he came to the apartment complex three and a half years ago because of its reputation for safety. He too was shocked at the news.

“I told my wife, ‘My God, someone has been killed.’ ”

Robert Beddaoui, who lives in the neighbourhood near the building, said he was surprised the seniors building would be the scene of such violence.

“It’s too bad, now all the seniors are going to be afraid,” he said.