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Police: Father of four children killed during random shooting incident at Toronto bus station

Police: Father of four children killed during random shooting incident at Toronto bus station

By Mounira Magdy

Published: February 21, 2024

The identity of the 39-year-old man, a father of four from Ghana, has been identified as the man who was killed in one of two separate random shootings in northwest Toronto over the weekend.

In a police update today, Tuesday, Philip Campbell said that Adwoa Boakye and another unnamed 16-year-old boy were "randomly shot" less than 24 hours apart while waiting for the bus in the Jane Street and Driftwood Street area on Friday and Saturday.

Campbell told reporters, "Our investigation so far has revealed no connection between Mr. Boakye and the individual or individuals who shot him, as well as the victim who was shot the day before. Mr. Boakye was innocently doing his work when he was shot."

The police also said the 16-year-old victim, who was on his way to attend a volleyball match at the time of the shooting on Friday, remains in hospital in critical but stable condition with injuries that may change his life.

In both cases, the victims were waiting outside a bus stop in the area when an unknown suspect approached them and opened fire.

Investigators said they believe the shootings are linked, and Campbell added that the stolen vehicle used by the suspect or suspects in both incidents was later found abandoned in Hamilton. Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen a black Acura RDX in the area before or after the shooting to contact them.

Campbell confirmed that the consecutive shootings bear "the fingerprints of gang activity," but he was unable to speak about any possible motive behind the attacks, saying "Nothing" in our investigations so far points to any gang affiliation of either victim.

Andy Singh of Division 31 stressed that the victims are "completely innocent," which he said is "a big part of what sparked the panic in this community."

The police set up a command center in the North York neighborhood the day after the second shooting, where Chief Myron Demkiw urged people in the community to be vigilant in reporting any suspicious activity.

At this stage, no arrests have been made, but the police released surveillance images of the suspect on Tuesday in an attempt to identify him. The police described him as a Black man, aged between 18 and 25 years, with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a black coat, white hoodie, black pants, black shoes, a black face covering, and possibly a white surgical mask.

Campbell said he is confident that the suspect will eventually be identified, noting that tips from the community will be an essential part of the investigation's success.

He said, "I don't think it will be difficult."

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