Police Believe Murder Victim’s Hand May Have Hit Suspect Vehicle
Posted October 24, 2009 11:45 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Police have released new video in the case of a 27-year-old man killed in a hit-and-run last weekend.
Christopher Skinner was walking home alone early Sunday morning after celebrating his sister’s birthday in the entertainment district. He was almost home when he got into a confrontation with the occupants of a black SUV.
Witnesses say at least two men got out of the vehicle, beat Skinner and left him lying on the ground at Adelaide and Victoria streets. They then allegedly got back into their vehicle, ran their victim over and drove off. Skinner was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.
At a press conference Saturday morning Det. Stacy Gallant of the Homicide Squad appealed to the people who may have been riding in vehicles behind the suspect SUV. Those vehicles were caught on surveillance video and include a black Jeep and a Beck taxi that were stopped not far from the intersection when the crime took place.
Gallant believes there may be witnesses who do not realize the seriousness of the incident and could provide valuable information in the investigation.
One of the clips shows Skinner trying to hail a taxi just metres away from where he was killed. Police believe in doing so, his hand may have hit the passing suspect vehicle by mistake.
In the other two clips, both on Adelaide, Skinner tries to hail a cab and looks at what may be his cellphone or iPod.
Earlier this week, police released tape and stills of the suspect vehicle, last seen fleeing eastbound on Adelaide Street.
The driver is described as:
- light-skinned
- under 30 years old
- short, military-style hair
- last seen wearing a tight, black tank top
There were as many as three other people in the SUV.
If you can help, call police at 416-808-7410 or 416-808-7406. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
More than 400 people are expected to take part in a vigil Sunday night for Skinner. It starts at 8pm at Church and Wellesley and will make its way to the spot where he died.
