Charges upgraded against suspect accused of fatally assaulting man, 34, in Toronto’s downtown core: police

A Toronto Police Services logo is shown at headquarters, in Toronto, on Friday, August 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Charges have been upgraded against a man accused of fatally assaulting a 34-year-old downtown last week, Toronto police say.

According to police, officers were called to the area of Front Street West and University Avenue at around 1:20 a.m. on Dec. 28 for a medical complaint.

Police allege that two people were involved in a verbal altercation outside of an establishment and one of the men assaulted the other, causing them to fall to the ground.

“The victim got up and the suspect assaulted the victim again, causing him to fall to the ground and lose consciousness,” police said in a news release issued on Monday.

Police said the suspect then fled the scene.

The victim was transported to hospital and placed on life support.

He has now been identified as 34-year-old Luke Daniel Kellett-Smith, of Toronto.

Benard Emeka Oneh, 30, of Richmond Hill, was previously charged with aggravated assault in connection with the incident, police said.

The charges were upgraded to manslaughter on Monday, investigators confirmed.

The deadly assault marked Toronto’s 44th homicide of 2025.