Toronto police release video Riverdale homicide suspect
Toronto police have released security camera footage of a suspect wanted in connection with the shooting death of a Riverdale man nearly two weeks ago, and are appealing for tips to help identify the alleged gunman.
Det. Murray Barnes released two clips from a video camera situated on Munro Street, just north of the home of Marcus Gibson, who was shot in his bedroom on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 27.
Witnesses called police and reported hearing five shots come from the home that afternoon.
In the first clip, a man in dark clothing who has his face covered is seen walking south on Munro toward Gibson's home at about 3:20 p.m. The second video shows that same man running north on Munro away from the crime scene. The time stamp on that video is 3:56 p.m.
Barnes said the man may have then gotten into a vehicle that headed north on Munro toward Gerrard.
While the suspect's face is concealed in the videos, Barnes said he may be wearing a Detroit Tigers baseball cap with the team's distinctive orange logo.
"All information is worth its weight in gold at this time," Barnes said, appealing for members of the public to come forward.
"There is still a firearm out there that's been used in a murder."
Anyone who recognizes the suspect or the clothing is asked to call the homicide squad at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS.
Charges dropped
The day after Gibson's death, police confirmed his identity as the co-accused in a 2014 homicide.
Gibson was charged with first-degree murder in January 2015 in connection with the death of 31-year-old Tariq Mohammed of Mississauga.
Mohammed was killed after a fight broke out inside the Garden Restaurant on Dundas Street near University Avenue.
But six months after police laid charges against Gibson, the prosecution withdrew them — as well as those against his co-accused, Ceyon Carrington.
Both men are now dead. Carrington died of multiple gunshot wounds last March, having been found in an alleyway at Carlaw Avenue and Queen Street East.
Asked whether Gibson's past connection to the homicide from 2014 is relevant to the circumstances around his own death, Barnes said it is an unfair question because he hasn't ruled out any potential explanations or connections.
Relationship between killer, victim unknown
He did say, however, that Gibson's death was not a case of mistaken identity.
"He was murdered in his bedroom. I believe there's only two people there. So I don't think it was mistaken identity," Barnes said.
He would not release a description of the vehicle that the suspect may have gotten into. But he had a warning for the driver.
"If he got into a vehicle, I'm going to suggest that person is party to the offence of murder," Barnes said.
"If you were the driver of that vehicle, you will suffer the same charges and the same fate in the justice system as the killer."
He suggested that person contact a lawyer.
There are still many questions left to answer, Barnes said, including how the suspect got into Gibson's home, why he was in Gibson's room and the relationship between the two of them.
Asked whether the killer's act was brazen given the incident happened on a Sunday afternoon, Barnes replied: "I totally agree with that."
