Accused Eaton Centre shooter worked at city after-school program

Christopher Husbands has been accused of a shocking act of violence after a man was murdered and six others were shot inside the Eaton Centre last weekend, but the suspect’s employment by the City of Toronto came as even more of a shock to some east-end parents.

The 23-year-old accused worked part-time for the city at an after-school program for kids at Stan Wadlow Clubhouse in East York, the Toronto Sun first reported. The revelation prompted city manager Joe Pennachetti to alter hiring practices within the parks and recreation department on Wednesday.

Mayor Rob Ford said he was “very upset” to learn Husbands had been employed by the city.

“Every employee, no matter where they work in the city, should have a background check.”

The city said in a release Wednesday that Husbands previously worked as a part-time recreation worker from November 2011 to May 18, 2012. But it provided few other details due to confidentiality issues and the ongoing police investigation.

As of Wednesday, Pennachetti said “you will not be hired in parks and recreation unless you have that police check verified with us.”

He noted the department hires thousands of temporary staff during the year and sometimes new employees start work without a confirmed police check. That won’t happen anymore, he said.

Pennachetti pointed out that a confirmed police check must be completed before anyone is employed by the city’s children’s services department, which runs daycare centres. That department is not included in the Husbands case — he was employed by the parks and recreation department.

Husbands worked in the after-school recreation and care program at the facility near Woodbine and Cosburn avenues until two weeks ago, despite having a 2008 drug conviction and being charged with sexual assault in 2010.

He was under house arrest for the 2010 charge, which doesn’t involve minors, when the Eaton Centre shooting happened.

He surrendered to police on Monday morning.

It’s not known if the city knew about Husbands’ criminal background when he was hired. No further details were provided by the city on why or how his employment ended.

The city sent a note home to parents informing them of the situation and ensured them that after-school recreation and care workers are never left alone with youngsters.

“I’m pretty upset. I’m a parent and there are 30 or something kids in there. I’d seen this guy on a day-to-day basis,” an angry father told CityNews Wednesday morning. He didn’t want to be identified.

Husbands, who’s also alleged to be a gang member, is facing one count of first-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Ahmed Hassan and six counts of attempted murder.

A 13-year-old boy remains in hospital after he was shot in the head during the June 2 shooting in the mall’s Urban Eatery. A 23-year-old man also remains in hospital with shots to his neck and chest. The four other shooting victims have since been released from hospital.

There is also a report that Toronto Police plan to crack down on two gangs, including the one Husbands and Hassan allegedly belonged to — a group called the Sic Thugs, according to a report in the Toronto Star. The project will reportedly kick off in the next few days.

Read full coverage of the Eaton Centre shooting case here.

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