Police Arrest 12-Year-Old in Connection with Toronto Homicide

Toronto Police have arrested two individuals linked to the city’s 29th homicide of 2023, raising significant concerns due to one suspect being just 12 years old. The arrests were made in connection with a series of violent robberies that occurred on the morning of August 31 in downtown Toronto.

In a press conference on Monday, Deputy Chief Robert Johnson expressed alarm over the age of one of the accused, noting that youth involvement in such serious crimes is alarming. “What is very concerning is the age of one of the accused, a 12-year-old male,” Johnson stated. He highlighted that out of 31 recent homicides, eight involve youth facing homicide charges, prompting a call to action for community partners to intervene in the lives of young individuals at risk.

The two suspects, identified as Isaiah Byers, 20, and a male youth whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, face multiple charges. These include one count of second-degree murder, three counts of robbery, two counts of assault with a weapon, and one count of aggravated assault. They are scheduled to appear in court separately on September 8 and September 12, respectively.

Police allege that the tragic incident occurred around 6:08 a.m. when the suspects confronted a 62-year-old man near Queen Street West and Bay Street. The victim suffered serious injuries during the attack and was initially hospitalized. Tragically, he was later found outside without vital signs, succumbing to his injuries four days after the assault.

In addition to this homicide, police reported that four other assaults took place within the same timeframe on August 31, all occurring near Bay Street between Queen Street West and College Street. The victims, all male, included individuals aged 63 and 70, among others. While some sustained serious injuries requiring hospitalization, others suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe described the attacks as a “disturbing crime spree,” emphasizing that they targeted vulnerable members of the community. One suspect was reportedly armed with a hammer during the series of assaults. The majority of victims were described by police as under-housed males.

The arrests were made shortly after the final assault, though authorities believe that other individuals may have been approached by the suspects without being physically harmed. Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the events or has any relevant information, including security or dash-camera footage from the area between August 31 and September 4, to contact them at 416-808-7400 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.

This situation underscores the urgent need for community engagement and intervention strategies to address youth involvement in violent crime.