Toronto police ask for help from Tamil community in solving 2001 murder
Toronto homicide detectives are seeking the name of a suspect in the murder of a young man who was gunned down in his Etobicoke driveway more than 15 years ago.
Police are also appealing specifically to the city's Tamil community for help.
Homicide Det.-Sgt. Stacy Gallant said in a news release on Monday that investigators are looking to identify the killer of Sudarsan Velauthapillai, 23. Police have obtained DNA evidence from the crime scene.
Velauthapillai was shot and killed in his driveway at 72 Avening Dr., near Highway 27 and Finch Avenue West, on Monday, Oct. 1, 2001 at about 9:30 p.m. An unidentified man, described as Sri Lankan, fled from the scene.
"We have his DNA, so all we need from you is his name, nothing more," Gallant said in the YouTube video.
Gallant said detectives want the Tamil community, in particular, to share the police's video appeal.
Several people who called police at the time of the murder said they heard gunfire. When officers arrived, they found Toronto paramedics trying to treat Velauthapillai near the front door of his residence.
He and his girlfriend were arriving home from dinner at a local restaurant when he was ambushed, Gallant said. He was shot several times.
"His girlfriend was lucky to escape this targeted attack unharmed," Gallant said.
Velauthapillai, who went by the nickname 'Maudo,' had recently moved to the address. He had been working as a courier before he was killed. About two weeks before his murder, a close friend was also killed.
Police found several cartridge casings at the scene.
Gallant said the killer was described as brown skinned, 20 to 25 years of age, and of medium height and weight. He was wearing a fisherman style hat that was left at the scene. It was black, blue and white camouflage in design.
The man fled on foot in a northerly direction.
Gallant said the killer would now be 37 to 40 years old. He may also be left-handed.
According to Gallant, the killing was targeted and Velauthapillai was associated to other people involved in what Gallant called "Tamil organized crime."
In March 2002, police developed a DNA profile that detectives believe belongs to the killer.
"This DNA does not currently match to any other known profile in the national DNA data bank. We need a name to go along with this DNA," Gallant said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
