Police Reportedly Probing Whether Murder Victims’ Status A Factor In Shooting

Did last week’s murders of Dylan Ellis and Oliver Martin have anything to do with their social status?

Toronto Police are reportedly probing that possibility and others as they look for a suspect in the case. In a published report, the case’s lead homicide investigator Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux mused that the gunman may have taken offense to the two well-off 25-year-olds being in his neighbourhood.

It’s believed the suspect was familiar with the Richmond and Niagara Sts.-area – he was believed to be either on foot or on bike when the double shooting occurred. Police aren’t ruling out any possibilities at this point, including an earlier estimation that the deadly confrontation may have been the result of an attempted carjacking.

Ellis, an aspiring photographer, and Martin, an investment banker, died after being shot as they sat in a Range Rover. They’d been in the neighbourhood visiting a friend at a condo. Both men lived in Rosedale and had a large circle of friends and family.

A woman who was with them in the vehicle escaped unharmed, and she apparently told police the suspect and victims didn’t speak to each other before the shots rang out.

Now those who were friends of the two victims are planning their tributes and getting ready to attend their funerals, even as a growing memorial on Richmond St. spreads at the scene.

Ellis’s family is expecting an overflow crowd for his farewell on Wednesday at Rosedale United Church.

“A number of Dylan’s friends and some of his family will be speaking. We’ll be hearing some music,” outlines Rev. Doug Norris. “There will be times for silences and for prayer to honour him, to remember him.”

Oliver Martin is also being recalled fondly by his pals. He may have been a banker by day but in his spare time, he was heavily into Brazilian jujitsu and kickboxing.

The club where he practiced his budding skill is just around the corner from the murder scene. Those he trained with are still trying to come to terms with his loss.

“It was a complete shock, a shock to me, shock to this gym,” relates Warren Lee, his coach. “It’s a shock to all the members here at this gym simply because he was such a nice guy. He just finished school. He was all excited about that, and he wanted to spend more time training.”

Martin’s funeral is expected to be equally well attended when it’s held on Thursday.

There are also reports that Ellis’s family may be planning to offer a reward for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect in this case. In the meantime, cops are looking at surveillance images from nearby buildings, and at this point they have the following suspect description:

• Male, black
• Light complexion
• Light coloured shirt
• Dark coloured pants
• Riding a mountain bike

Anyone with information can call police at 416-808-7387 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).