Police release images of suspect and vehicle sought in October murder
Posted January 19, 2021 12:10 pm.
Last Updated January 19, 2021 1:24 pm.
Toronto police have released new images of a third suspect wanted in connection to the murder of Shane Shannon Stanford last October.
Police say Stanford was found shot to death in a vehicle on October 7, 2020 in the Bathurst Street and Ranee Avenue area.
In an update Tuesday, Detective Michael McGinn said Stanford, 33, was coming home from work that night when he was shot in the back of the head at around 11:40 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are still trying to determine a motive, but say it appears Stanford may have simply been in the wrong place and the wrong time.
“I can say that Shane himself was not targeted specifically as an individual,” McGinn said. “At this point in the investigation we are still open to the possibility that it was in relation to the area, but I can’t say that definitely at this point, it’s still under further investigation.”
“Mr. Stanford was a very good man, a good person and a valued member of his community. It’s a tragic loss,” he added.
Two people have been arrested in connection to the killing so far. Raheem McLaughlin, 27, of Toronto was charged with first-degree murder, while a 17-year-old Toronto girl was charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
McGinn is now seeking the public’s help tracking down a third suspect, and the vehicle used during the crime.
The outstanding suspect is described as a man in his mid-20s, with a light brown complexion. He’s around five foot ten with a thin build and was wearing a dark-coloured jacket with maroon-coloured “KAPPA” track pants and black shoes.
The outstanding vehicle is a white four-door 2005-2006 Nissan Infiniti G35 with a sunroof and tinted windows. The vehicle has gold-coloured rims and gold trim under the driver and passenger doors. It also has scratches rear of the right bumper.
McGinn said he believes the vehicle was sold after the deadly shooting.
“It’s a very good possibility that the person (who bought it) has no knowledge that this vehicle was involved in any offence,” he said.
