Charges upgraded to murder in North York shooting

Toronto police have upgraded the charges against a 22-year-old man to first-degree murder in connection to a shooting in North York earlier this year.

Hashim Hashi, 20, was allegedly gunned down outside of an apartment building near Jane St and Fallstaff Avenue on Jan. 31.

Police say he was shot from the passenger side of his vehicle as he tried to enter the parking garage of the building just before 9:00 p.m.

When emergency crews arrived on the scene, he was pronounced dead.

Hassan Ali of Toronto was originally arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to murder on Feb 13. At that time, he was also arrested on several drug trafficking charges and failure to comply with probation.

A warrant for First-degree murder was issued on Thursday, as well as three counts of Fail to Comply with Recognizance.

Ali has also been identified a Toronto-area rapper known as ‘Top5.’

According to investigators, Ali is considered armed and dangerous. Police are asking anyone who recognizes him to contact them.

At the time of the shooting, Det. Sgt. Ted Lioumanis said Hashi was not involved in any gang activity and had no gang affiliation and they were still working to determine a motive for the shooting.

This was Toronto’s fifth homicide of 2021.