Victims in North York shootings ‘completely innocent,’ police say; suspect sought

Police say the victims in a pair of North York shootings over the weekend were “completely and utterly innocent,” and have identified the deceased victim as a father of four who recently came to Canada from Africa.

Toronto police homicide detectives provided an update on Tuesday afternoon on the two shootings that occurred less than 24 hours apart near a bus stop at Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue, saying they continue to look for suspects and have found a stolen vehicle believed to be linked to the incidents.

“We believe these two victims were shot indiscriminately,” said Toronto police Det. Phillip Campbell. “One person is dead and the other has had their life altered forever.”

Investigators say a man was shot three times while walking near a bus stop in the area around 3 p.m. on Saturday. Emergency crews performed life-saving measures on the man before rushing him to hospital where he later died.

The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Adu Boakye. Police say he was a husband and father of four who only moved to Canada from Ghana three months ago.

“Our investigation thus far has revealed there is no relationship between Mr. Boakye and the individual who shot him,” said Campbell. “Like the victim shot the day before, (he was) innocently going about his business.”

Saturday’s shooting was the second at the same intersection in less than 24 hours. The first happened around 6 p.m. Friday when a 16-year-old boy who was waiting for the bus was shot in the face.

He remains in hospital in critical condition.

“We met with the mother of the (victim), who is very traumatized about what has occurred,” says police Supt. Andy Singh. “But is very thankful that her son is alive.”

Investigators say that while they can’t rule out the possibility that the attacks were related to gang violence, there is no evidence that the two people shot were in any way affiliated with gangs or “anything of that nature.”

They say the two victims have no connection with each other or the suspected shooter.

Police release photo of suspect in North York shootings

Police say they have identified a suspect linked to the two shootings and have released a photo.

He is described as a Black male, 18 to 25 years old with a thin build. He was last seen wearing a black coat, a white hoodie, black pants, black shoes, a black face covering and possibly a white surgical mask. 

Police have also identified a suspect vehicle, described as a stolen black Acura RDX , that was located in Hamilton. Anyone who may have seen the vehicle, or who has video or dashcam footage, is asked to contact police.

Police have stepped up patrols in the community in light of the ongoing safety risk and say the force is doing all it can to ensure residents in the area are safe.

With files from The Canadian Press