Suspect identified in murder of man found with gunshot wounds inside vehicle in North York: police

Police give an update on the investigation into the murder of 43-year-old Paulin Harusha over the weekend.

Toronto police say they have identified a suspect in the murder of a 43-year-old man who was found suffering from gunshot wounds in a vehicle in North York last weekend.

Paulin Harusha was gunned down in the area of Victoria Park Avenue and Sheppard Avenue East shortly before midnight on Saturday, Sept. 13.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, police said they were searching for a light-coloured SUV that fled the scene prior to the arrival of officers.

At a news conference at Toronto police headquarters on Thursday morning, police said a Canada-wide warrant has now been issued for the arrest of 34-year-old Toronto resident Meelad Tarin.

Det. Sgt. Alan Bartlett urged Tarin, who is wanted for first-degree murder, to turn himself in. He added that anyone aiding the suspect will be investigated and charges will be laid “as appropriate.”

When asked if the victim and suspect were known to one another, Bartlett said investigators are still looking into the relationship between the two men.

“I can tell you that there was some familiarity between the two of them but beyond that I’d be speculating,” he said.

Bartlett would not say whether either of the two men had a criminal history.

He added that police are not currently looking for any additional suspects.

“We are early on in this investigation,” Bartlett said.

“If the evidence suggests that there are other people that are responsible for this event, certainly they will be investigated and charges will be laid as appropriate.”

He noted that Harusha’s family and friends are devastated by his death.

“The loss has left a hole in this family,” Bartlett said.

“One of the reasons we are here today… is to support the family and to let them know that we are here to seek justice for Mr. Harusha.”