Updated: Tue Jul. 11 2006 4:33:39 PM

CTV.ca News Staff

Police say the gun found near the scene where Dianna Sandeman was shot and killed last week came from a sporting goods store in the U.S.

Sandeman, 27, and her boyfriend Michael Dennett left an Etobicoke sports bar at about 2:13 a.m. on July 5.

Moments after getting into their car police allege a man walked up to the passenger door and fired through the open window.

Dennett, 32, was struck in the abdomen and leg and is expected to survive. Sandeman was struck in the head and died as a result of her injury. Her death was Toronto's 34th homicide in 2006.

On Tuesday, investigators revealed that a gun found on Burlingame Road - near the Europa Café and Sports Bar at 376 Browns Line - is believed to be connected to Sandeman's murder.

Officers traced the firearm to a sporting goods store in Gainsville, Georgia. They say the gun was purchased there on Jan. 18, 2005. Exactly 533 days later, police believe the gun was used on the streets of Etobicoke.

Police in Toronto are now in contact with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. They are asking ATF officers for help in the on-going investigation.

Meanwhile, Toronto police are trying to determine a motive for the shooting and are looking for a suspect.

Police say the alleged shooter was last seen running northbound on Browns Line. They believe the suspect jumped into the passenger's seat of a car and sped away.

The suspect is described as:

• Under 25-years-old;
• Standing six-feet tall with a skinny build;
• Black or possibly West Indian with a dark complexion;
• Straight, black hair that hangs below collar length.

At the time he was wearing a white crochet net on the lower part of his hair, plus a light-coloured shirt and loose, low-riding, blue jeans.

The suspect car is described as a grey or silver 2005-06 Nissan Maxima or Pontiac Sunfire with round taillights and tinted windows.

The car was last seen travelling west on Burlingame Road.

Police are also investigating the backgrounds of both victims, looking for a clue to the reason they were shot.

Investigators ask anyone who may have had contact with the couple, either socially or through business, to contact the Homicide Squad.

People are asked to call Det. Sgt. Terry Wark at (416) 808-7386 or Det. Terry Browne at (416) 808-7403. Anonymous tips can be left by calling Crime Stoppers at (416) 222-TIPS (8477).