Alleged Parkdale attacker faces murder charge
Posted June 23, 2011 2:42 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Police now claim a 31-year-old man arrested last month is responsible for the string of brutal attacks that terrorized Parkdale earlier this year, including the one that killed George Wass.
Ricardo Morrison was arrested and charged May 3 for two of the most recent assaults in the area. On Thursday, police announced he’s now facing an additional six charges – one of second-degree murder and five assault causing bodily harm.
Authorities said the Centre of Forensic Sciences and the Parkdale community deserve equal credit for helping investigators with this case.
“Parkdale is a very close community and we were touched at 11 Division by the reaction,” Staff Insp. Peter Lennox said.
Seven attacks apparently targeting people with mental illnesses happened between January and April in the Queen Street West and Jameson Avenue area. Wass was among the victims. The 62-year-old was attacked on March 18 and died three days later after he was released from hospital.
In each case a man, sometimes on a bicycle, approached the victims from behind and attacked them.
Police refused to provide a motive for the attacks or the suspect’s connection to the victims. Morrison reportedly lived in the same rooming house as three of the victims.
“All I can tell you is one of the things that was consistent was that our vulnerable people were being attacked,” said Staff Insp. Mark Saunders of the homicide squad.
The attacks prompted the Parkdale community to band together. Police cited a YouTube video made by local resident Paisley Rae, urging the attacker to turn himself in.
