Teen charged with first-degree murder in Const. Garrett Styles’ death

Police have charged a 15-year-old boy with first-degree murder in the death of Const. Garrett Styles.

Officers arrested the York Region teen Tuesday night at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, and he has since been transferred to Toronto Western. The young suspect has reportedly been paralyzed below the waist.

Under Canada’s Criminal Code, first-degree murder charges are automatically laid when the victim is a police officer or constable, whether or not the act was planned or deliberate.

Just before 5 a.m. Tuesday, Styles was standing beside a minivan during a routine traffic stop when it suddenly accelerated and dragged him about 300 metres before losing control and rolling on top of him.

He died in hospital about an hour later.

A makeshift memorial outside the police station on Prospect Street in Newmarket continued to grow Wednesday, with colleagues, friends and strangers stopping by to honour the 32-year-old father of two.

And officers were out before dawn Wednesday canvassing for witnesses.

They were stopping drivers on Highway 48 near Herald Road, where Styles was hit, asking motorists if they could offer more information.  Police are hoping witnesses will come forward to aid their investigation.

“Was there something that stuck out in their mind, was there something they saw or captured?” asked Duty Insp. Gary Miner. 

Three teens, who were in the van at the time of the crash, have been co-operating with police. 

Ada Botha, who is friends with the teens, said they never expected a life to be lost when they set out in the car.

“There weren’t thinking this was gonna end up being (a) tragedy,” she said.  “They didn’t think it was going to happen, but…I don’t think it was very good judgement.”

Styles, who would’ve turned 33 on Sunday, is survived by his wife Melissa and their two young children – a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and a nine-week-old son.

The seven-year veteran of the York force was just about to become a sergeant. 

The accused, who can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, will appear in a Newmarket court on July 7.


FUNERAL AND PUBLIC VISITATION


Const. Garrett Styles’ funeral will be held on Tuesday in Newmarket at the Ray Twinney Complex.  The service will begin at 1 p.m.

Public Visitation:

Monday, July 4th.  Jerrett Funeral Home.  8088 Yonge Street, Thornhill Ont.

1pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm

TRUST FUND

A trust account in the name of Melissa Styles, widow of Const. Garrett Styles #1405 of York Regional Police, has been established.

Police Credit Union
18025 Yonge Street
Newmarket, ON
L3Y 8C9

The account number is 2000014 York Branch
Transit Number is 63612

Cheques should be made payable to:

In Trust for Melissa Styles or Melissa Styles In Trust. Cheques can be mailed to the Newmarket Branch of the Police Credit Union as listed above. Deposits can be made directly at any branch of the Police
Credit Union.

Click here for Police Credit Union locations.

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