Wanted man in Danforth homicide linked to violent crimes in Durham: police

A man wanted in a fatal stabbing in the city’s east end this week is also connected to a string of violent incidents in Durham Region.

According to Toronto police, an altercation occurred between two men just after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, behind a plaza in the Danforth Avenue and Coxwell Avenue area, and one of them was stabbed.

Police say Ashkan Pournasir-Roudbane, 36, was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police say the two men were not known to each other and that Pournasir-Roudbane was likely targeted because he was alone, in an isolated area, and there were no witnesses around when the incident occurred.

“It doesn’t look like there was a dispute. The victim was sitting down and had no chance to defend himself or flee,” said Det. Sgt. Henri Marsman on Friday.

Anthony Steven Oliveira, 24, of no fixed address, is wanted on a charge of first-degree murder, and police say he should be considered “armed and dangerous.”

Marsman added that Oliveira is known to use public transit throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, Durham Region, and Peel Region.

“We disseminated bulletins to all the transit agencies for their operators to keep an eye out for this gentleman,” said Marsman.

Wanted man has violent history, police say

Oliveira is facing assault and weapons charges in connection with an attempted stabbing in Oshawa earlier this month. On Tuesday, Durham Regional Police identified him as the suspect in the case.

According to police, the incident occurred on June 1, when a man was seen walking west on Danzatore Path. As he passed two individuals walking in the opposite direction, he allegedly pulled out a knife and attempted to stab one of them.

No physical injuries were sustained.

CityNews has since confirmed that Oliveira was also charged with aggravated assault two years ago for nearly beating a man to death in late 2023.

The incident occurred in Courtice, Ont., on Dec. 21, 2023, when DRPS officers responded to an unknown trouble call at a residence on Cousins Street. According to police, a male victim was located at the home with life-threatening injuries sustained in an assault.

While the suspect fled prior to the police’s arrival, he later turned himself in, resulting in Oliveira being charged. He was 22 years old at the time.