Youths Charged with Homicide in Tow-Truck-Related Shootings

Toronto Police has made four arrests and laid 177 charges in a homicide and 12 tow truck-related shootings as part of Project Beacon.

Since the start of the year, there have been 43 tow truck-related shootings and discharges in the city.

“Overall, firearm discharges and shooting events in our city have increased by 50 per cent compared to last year,” said Chief Myron Demkiw at a news conference at police headquarters on August 21. “We believe that 14 per cent of these shootings are related to an ongoing territory dispute involving a small segment of the tow truck industry. While many of the shootings that are occurring are firearm discharges targeting buildings or vehicles, there have been two homicides related to this dispute and several people injured.”

Last June, Toronto Police launched a Tow Truck Task Force -- Project Beacon -- involving specialty squads, divisional uniform members and Traffic Services and strategically deployed resources to address these violent crimes.

The arrests and charges are related to separate incidents that took place between May and July this year.

On July 6, police responded to a call in the Warden Ave. & Ellesmere Rd. area.

A 28-year-old man located with gunshot wounds was pronounced deceased in hospital.

On July 15, Toronto Police officers, with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), arrested two youths, aged 15 and 16. They were charged with first-degree murder.

It is alleged that during the arrest, a stolen Glock handgun was in their possession.

It is further alleged that the youths are responsible for 11 additional shooting incidents that occurred between June 29 and July 14, with eight of them taking place over the Canada Day long weekend. The youths, police also allege, used three different stolen vehicles during the shooting spree.

As a result, they are facing an additional 154 charges in relation to the 11 shooting incidents.

The youths are from Oshawa and Stouffville.

At the time of their arrests, Staff Superintendent Joe Matthews said one of them was on a court release order to not be in possession of any weapons while the other was on a weapons prohibition order.

“We know the ages of those responsible for a murder and other shootings over a holiday weekend is alarming to the community,” he noted.  “The senseless violence has a significant impact on our communities and their wellbeing.”

On May 15, police allege a suspect opened fire on two parked tow trucks in the Markham Rd. and Steeles Ave. E area and that the suspect responsible was paid by a second person to commit the crime.

No one was in the tow truck at the time of the shooting.

A 17-year-old youth was arrested and charged with six offences.

Jamal Sayed Waizi, 33, of Oshawa, was also charged in connection with the incident and has since been released by the courts.

Matthews thanked Durham, York and Peel Regional Police Services along with the OPP for their partnership in the investigation.

“We stand here committed to restore community safety in collaboration with our partners throughout the GTA,” he added. 

Demkiw said the Service’s approach to tackling gun violence is continuous.

“We are ensuring that our officers have the tools and resources they need to dismantle criminal networks is continuous,” he said. “We also recognize that no single organization can solve this problem alone.”

Earlier this month, Mayor Olivia Chow led a roundtable discussion about the need for an effective multi-sectoral response to youth crime and gun violence. 

“While we continue to work to get firearms off our streets, police, social agencies, school boards, NGOs (Non Government Organizations) and all levels of government must work together to intervene long before a young person gets involved in criminal activity,” said Demkiw. “A whole system approach, with a public health lens, is at the core of our work with our partners to address gun violence. It’s time for bold actions by all stakeholders to address this pressing issue impacting our young. 

“Collaboration and communication are key in ensuring that we can address this problem on a regional scale, share intelligence and bring those responsible for these crimes to justice. We know that getting a gun off the street or apprehending someone who has used a firearm is good police work. However, intervening to prevent someone from resorting to violence is always our goal.” 

Young people have been involved in 20 per cent of Toronto homicides so far this year as compared to just one youth-involved homicide in 2023.

Staff Superintendent Kelly Skinner said addressing youth violence requires proactive solutions.

“We are deploying resources strategically to address these violent crimes and working collaboratively with residents, community leaders, faith leaders and agencies to build relationships and co-develop solutions to problem,” she pointed out. “Cycles of violence, negligence, poverty, and trauma often drive the damage that we, as police, are often trying to prevent.

“We continue to work closely with community leaders, educators and organizations to ensure that our young people have the support and resources they need to choose a different path. An example of this work is the Community Connect Program managed by our Youth Liaison Officer in our Community Partnerships and Engagement Unit. This long term youth engagement strategy connects youth with local NCO’s through training and development initiatives to help reduce barriers and provide a wide range of opportunities to enhance skills.” 

Since March, 2023, the program has impacted over 3,700 youth by supporting the development of important life skills.  

“Another important initiative in the city is FOCUS (Furthering Our Communities Uniting Services) Toronto, which is a collaboration of over 170 Community Agencies led by a cross-sector partnership between the Toronto Police Service, the City of Toronto and the United Way of Greater Toronto,” Skinner noted. “This model brings together the most appropriate community agencies through weekly situation tables to help the most vulnerable individuals and families.”

A total of 15.4 per cent of the referrals made by Toronto Police were as a result of engagement with officers. The Service’s Gang Exit Program identified 715 youths for referral to education, employment or counselling programs in 2023.