Group arrested in homicides, attempted murders: police

A group of individuals have been arrested for four homicides and two separate shootings dating back to 2008 following several raids that were carried out earlier Thursday in the GTA, Toronto police say.

Some of the incidents were random acts of violence while others were over previous arguments, said Staff Insp. Greg McLane, who described the accused as “ruthless.”

“I can’t discuss the motivation behind these events but … some of these acts are random acts of violence. They just come upon these people, engaged them and murdered them,” he said Thursday.

The following incidents were linked to the arrested individuals, he said.

On Sept. 2, 2008, Kenneth Mark, 29, was sitting on a planter on St. Clair Avenue West talking with a friend when the accused allegedly approached him from behind and shot him in the head. He survived. The accused, now 19, was a young offender at the time and his name is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Mark was shot and killed on Dec. 29, 2009.

On Aug. 27, 2011, police responded to a shooting at 4020 Dundas St. W. where they found the body of Jermaine Smith, 28, of Mississauga, who had been shot several times. He was at a school community barbecue where upwards of 100 people,including many children, had gathered.

It’s alleged the accused pulled out a handgun and shot Smith “numerous times.” Police believe the victim was targeted because of a previous beef. The suspect — Aiman “Bigz” Khiar, 24, of Toronto —  was already in custody on previous firearm-related charges stemming from a shooting incident in the entertainment district in August. He was charged with first-degree murder.

On May 10, 2012, police responded to a shooting at 4020 Dundas St. W. where they found Delano Coombs, 27, of Brampton, lying on a footpath in the area. He was taken to hospital where he died of his injuries. It’s alleged that three people drove up to the victim and shot him and that it was a targeted homicide stemming from a previous altercation.

Jerome “Germz” Bent, 22, and Dellan “Young” McMorris,” 23, both of Toronto, were charged with first-degree murder. Bent was already in prison serving a six-year sentence for possession of a restricted firearm. McMorris was in custody on a firearm-related charge that stemmed from the entertainment district shooting in August, McLane said.

On July 19, 2012, police were called to Flemington Public School where they found the lifeless body of Daniel Davis, 27, of Toronto. He was in the schoolyard with several friends when the occupants in three vehicles drove up, exited and fired in what police say was a “random act of violence.”

Shakeil Wheatle, 19; Dwayne “Mafia” Willis, 20; Amanda “White Millie” Rumbolt, 29; Jathursan “Yadi” Rajarubakumar, 22; and Bershon “Bread” Roach-Ferguson, 20, all of Toronto were arrested on Thursday morning and each face first-degree murder charges, McLane said. Bent, who was already in custody, was charged with another count of first-degree murder.

On Sept. 11, 2012, an 18-year-old man was walking near Dallner Road and Loney Avenue when a vehicle drove up beside him and the occupants started asking him questions before firing shots at him. The victim survived his injuries in what police say was another act of random violence. Jerome Bent, 22, the alleged shooter, and Amanda Rumbolt, 29, both of Toronto, both face attempted murder charges in this case.

On Oct. 29, 2012, police were dispatched to 47 Flemington Rd. where they found Marvin Engelbrecht, 24, of Toronto on the front steps. He was taken to hospital and later died of his gunshot wounds. It’s alleged the victim was walking his dog down the street when a man got out of a car, chased him up a driveway while firing a number of rounds and fired a shot into his head. This was also believed to be a random act of violence. Shakeil Wheatle, 22, of Toronto, was charged with first-degree murder.

All of the accused appeared in court on Friday and will be back on Oct. 16.