12-year-old Accused in Murder of Underhoused Man

A 12-year-old boy and 20-year-old man are accused of killing an underhoused man after a series of attacks on vulnerable people and robberies on August 31.

It is alleged that the suspects violently attacked the 62-year-old man in the Queen St. W. and Bay St. area. The victim was treated in hospital and died on September 4 because of the injuries. He is not being identified because police have been unable to locate a next of kin.

“All these attacks were extremely violent and targeted vulnerable members of our city,” Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe said at news conference on September 15. “Through our investigation, we have learned that more people may have been approached by the two accused that morning or that people may have witnessed some of these violent attacks. We would like those people to contact us so we can get more information.”

The assaults took place between 5.45 a.m. and 8.07 a.m.

McCabe said the first assault was in the Yonge & Dundas area, before the alleged homicide.

“The accused approached an underhoused male and begam violently beating him,” Homicide & Missing Persons Unit investigator said. “One of the accused was armed with a hammer. This male was able to escape, and the accused walked away. They continued west on Dundas St. until 5.52 a.m. when they encountered a second underhoused male and began assaulting him. Again, one of the accused was armed with a hammer. The victim was able to get away and was taken to hospital.”

The accused, McCabe said, continued west until they reached Nathan Phillps Square where they encountered the deceased.

“Following this attack, the accused continued on foot to the area of Yonge and Gerrad where they asked to use an elderly gentleman’s phone,” she noted. “They grabbed his phone and when he tried to get it back, he was pushed to the ground.”

The last assault took place in the Yonge & College area.

“One of the accused approached a male in this area and asked to use his phone,” McCabe said. “When the male refused, the accused slapped the phone out of his hand and then threw an object at him. Thanks to the keen eyes of two young officers from 52 Division, the accused were arrested shortly after this final attack.

The investigation is ongoing.

Isaiah Byers, 20, and a 12-year-old male are facing second-degree murder, robbery and aggravated assault charges.

Deputy Chief Rob Johnson said the arrest of a 12-year-old is very concerning to the community.

“Chief Demkiw raised this as a call-to-action last week, given eight of the 31 homicides have youth facing homicide charges,” he said. “This has to stop.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or at www.222tips.com.