Police dismantle Toronto gang Heart of a King linked to 'several' homicides

Toronto police say they have arrested more than 50 people associated with a violent gang called Heart of A King in raids that led to hundreds of charges and the seizure of thousands of dollars' worth of drugs, weapons and jewelry.

Police carried out the operation, dubbed Project Sizzle, at locations across the city and in Montreal on Thursday.

Police allege that the Heart of A King gang, also known as HOK, is responsible for a string of violent crimes that took place mainly in the downtown core, over the past few years including the murders of Charles Shillingford, 25, Quinn Taylor, 29 and David Michael Eminess, 26.

Chief Mark Saunders said they were able to "eradicate" the organization as a result of the 43 raids carried out in the GTA and Montreal.

"HOK has significantly been impacted," he said. "Many members of the group and their associates will be prosecuted."

Police allege that the organization's members and their associates were involved in numerous shootings, homicides and prostitution. Those arrested face a total of 285 charges. They include first degree murder, attempted murder, trafficking in weapons and cocaine and possession of a restricted firearm.

The project was led by Toronto police with cooperation from police in Montreal as well as OPP and Peel Police.

The majority of the arrests were made in Toronto. Four people were arrested in Montreal.

"The HOK Gang criminal activity was centred around adult entertainment establishments and local bars," said Insp. Bryan Bott of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force of Toronto Police Service.

"This gang, through intelligence information, we know had a high propensity for violence and were involved, we believe, in several homicides in the city of Toronto."

Police believe HOK evolved from a Nova Scotian gang, North Preston's Finest.

Leader of gang arrested

Among the 53 people arrested was Jahmal Richardson, 31, of Oakville. Police believe he is the leader of HOK and said he also goes by the alias Bambino.

Richardson faces 13 charges in total, including a first degree murder charge.

Referring to a painting owned by Richardson and a photograph of him sitting on the hood of an expensive car, Bott said, "I suggest they might symbolize what he thinks of himself and his lifestyle."

Kyle Sparks-Mackinnon, 26, of Oakville also faces a first-degree murder charge, as well as two counts of second degree murder and three counts of attempted murder.

As part of Project Sizzle, police seized:

- $45,000 in cash.

- $300,000 in estimated property-related proceeds.

- 17 firearms.

- Two sets of body armour.

- Jewelry.

- An undisclosed amount of various drugs.

The raids, carried out in the Fort York area and Etobicoke shortly before sunrise on Thursday, led to the arrest of several suspects wanted in connection with local homicides, police said. In all, heavily-armed officers and K9 units stormed 30 locations.

"I was a little bit shocked because you don't hear about this kind of thing happening in this neighbourhood," Peter Fedda, who lives in a building in the Fort York area, told CBC News.

Kristina Gustavson, who also lives in the highrise where one of the raids was conducted, expressed surprise that some of her neighbours are facing several serious charges.

"If they have guns, they don't bring them here," she said. "It's terrible."

Toronto police spokesman Mark Pugash said police believe the arrests will have a "significant impact in reducing crime in the city."