Man charged with manslaughter in connection with fatal assault
A man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a 50-year-old man in downtown Toronto in February, police say.
In a news release issued Saturday, Toronto police said the incident happened on Feb. 27 at around 1:30 a.m.near Elizabeth Street and Dundas Street W.
Police say a man allegedly approached a group of people who were outside on a sidewalk when he got into an altercation with the group.
"The man, unprovoked, struck the victim in the head causing him to fall to the ground," police allege.
The victim, identified by police as 50-year-old Toronto man Gregory Lawrie, was taken to hospital where he died. Officers arrested a 25-year-old man after searching the area.
The man was initially charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, two counts of obstructing a peace officer, breach of probation, failing to comply with release order and possessing a device while prohibited. The release Saturday said the charge against the accused has been upgraded to manslaughter following autopsy results.
The man was scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
Anyone with information, or who was in the area at the time, and witnessed this event, is asked to contact police.
