89 homicides in 2018: Toronto ties record for most murders in a year

Toronto is on track to mark its deadliest year on record after an onslaught of summer shootings and multiple homicides, of which one-in-three cases remain unsolved.

Canada’s biggest city has seen 89 homicides since January, matching its previous record set in 1991. Of those, 30 homicides – or 33 per cent --- remain unsolved.

Last year, 53 people were murdered in Toronto, down from 63 homicides reported in 2016.

The 89th death of 2018 happened early Wednesday morning in the city’s northwest end, where a 22-year-old man was found with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. The man was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The victim has been identified as Yohannes Brhanu. No arrests have been made, and police are appealing to the public for information.

Neighbours called 911 just after midnight to report sounds of gunshots in the area of Ann Arbour Rd. and Lovilla Blvd., near Hwy. 400 and Hwy. 401.

According to police, Brhanu was in the driver’s seat with a passenger, and the vehicle was parked, when two vehicles approached.

Someone inside one of the vehicles opened fire into the driver’s side of Brhanu’s vehicle, police said. Gunfire was then exchanged between two of the vehicles.

Police have not released information on suspects or a motive.

“We have our police dogs. We have our forensics people. We are currently investigating what happened,” Duty Insp. Jim Gotell told CP24 at the scene.

Investigators have asked those living in the area to check their properties for any discarded items.

The record death toll comes after several multiple-victim homicides in the city.

Ten people were killed and 16 others injured in a deadly van attack in April. Alek Minassian, 25, was charged in connection with the deaths. The case is skipping a preliminary hearing and heading straight to trial.

In July, two people were killed and 13 others injured in a mass shooting in the Danforth neighbourhood in July. The shooter, Faisal Hussain, killed himself during a standoff with police.

With files from CP24