Toronto's top cop defends Bridle Path home invasion probe
· Toronto Sun
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Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw is supporting his investigators after a decision was made not to arrest a suspect allegedly involved in last Thursday’s violent Bridle Path home invasion.
“There (was) no information that suggested to investigators an assailant had been shot,” Demkiw told reporters on Monday. ”So, let me be very clear on that. The investigators in the middle of the night (did) not have information that an assailant (had) been shot during that home invasion.”
After the home invasion occurred in the exclusive Toronto enclave around 3:40 a.m., Daijohn Richards attended St. Joseph’s Health Centre with a gunshot wound. Richards is believed to have been shot accidentally by one of the attackers.
Toronto Police were notified and attended the hospital, following the guidelines of the province’s Mandatory Gunshot Wounds Reporting Act.
However, police allowed Richards to leave the hospital after being treated for the gunshot wound. Police said they did not have enough evidence to arrest him until Friday night.
Police faced criticism after details of the hospital interaction became public.
Police require reasonable grounds supported by evidence to detain someone, and Demkiw said that, had the circumstances been different, Richards would have been in handcuffs.
“Had there been evidence to allow us to do something different, that’s what would have happened,” he said.
Fully supportive
The chief said he is fully behind the work of his investigating team.
“People see things one way, when, in fact, I can tell you from my perspective there (has) been no failure,” Demkiw said. “ There (has) been nothing but exceptional police work, exceptional investigative steps taken.”
Richards, 23, is wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant.He is wanted for four counts of discharge firearm with intent to wound, four counts of robbery with a firearm, three counts of aggravated assault and three other charges.
The other two suspects, who were described as in their 20s, have not been identified.
Police were called to a home on Hyde Park Circle, near Bayview and Lawrence Aves., after suspects armed with handguns and a hammer broke into the residence.
Police said the suspects encountered the homeowners, a husband and wife, and their two adult children, before a struggle ensued.
Among the wounded were mother, Doriana Zohil-Morton, daughters Cristina and Maggie, as David Morton, who is the CEO of The Mac Group, a real estate business.
Toronto Police said that David, Cristina and Maggie were shot by intruders, while it is believed Zohil-Morton and her husband were also struck by a hammer.
– with files from Joe Warmington
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