Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw is defending his officers' handling of a violent home invasion investigation after a man treated for a gunshot wound left hospital before police identified him as a suspect.
Daijohn Richards, 23, of Toronto, remains wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant in connection with the October 29 attack in the city's Bridle Path neighbourhood. Police believe Richards was accidentally shot in the shoulder by another suspect during the break-in.
At a news conference Monday, November 2, Demkiw rejected suggestions that officers had failed by not arresting Richards during an earlier encounter at St. Joseph's Health Centre.
“There's been no failure. There's been nothing but exceptional police work,” Demkiw said, according to TorontoToday's reporting from the news conference.
Why police did not arrest him at hospital
Investigators say Richards arrived at St. Joseph's Health Centre with a gunshot wound about 30 minutes after the early-morning home invasion. Officers interacted with him at the hospital, but police say there was not enough evidence at that stage to establish the grounds necessary for an arrest.
According to Toronto police information reported by TorontoToday, Richards was discharged early Friday afternoon, October 30. Investigators identified him as a suspect later that evening after obtaining further evidence.
Demkiw said police initially had no information indicating one of the suspected intruders had been shot in the home. He said officers attended the hospital as part of the normal response to a gunshot wound and continued to investigate as new evidence emerged.
The chief declined to discuss specific investigative techniques, citing the active investigation. He said he remained confident in the work of the officers involved. The case has drawn scrutiny because investigators had contact with the man before he was publicly named as a wanted suspect.
Four residents injured in the home invasion
Toronto police responded to a reported shooting around 3:40 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, in the Post Road and Hyde Park Circle area. Police allege three people armed with firearms and a hammer forced their way into a residence, went upstairs and demanded valuables.
The suspects allegedly confronted four occupants. Three people, a 75-year-old man and women aged 26 and 28, sustained gunshot wounds. Police say the man and a 64-year-old woman were also struck with a hammer. All four occupants were taken to hospital.
TorontoToday reported Monday that two family members sustained life-altering injuries. Police say the intruders fled in a dark-coloured SUV before officers arrived.
Canada-wide warrant remains active
Toronto Police Service identified Richards publicly on October 31 and released photographs in an appeal for information. The force lists four counts of discharging a firearm with intent to wound, four counts of robbery with a firearm, three counts of aggravated assault, and offences involving breaking and entering, a prohibited device and disguise with intent.
Police have not released descriptions of the two other suspects. As of the latest official information available on November 2, Richards and the other two people were still being sought, and investigators considered all three armed and dangerous. No announcement of Richards' arrest was found during this publication check.
Anyone with information can contact the Toronto Police Hold Up Squad at 416-808-7350 or 33 Division at 416-808-3300. The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
Sources: Toronto Police Service, October 31 news release; TorontoToday's November 2 press conference reporting; CP24's November 2 report.