See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source
A man believed to be involved in a home invasion at an upscale Bridle Path house where three family members were shot and two beaten with a hammer later turned up at a hospital with a gunshot wound.
But the suspect managed to slip through the grasp of Toronto Police.
Speaking to reporters Saturday morning, Hold Up Squad Insp. Kristy Smith said Daijohn Richards, 23, of Toronto, has been identified as a suspect in the violent home invasion that unfolded near Post Rd. and Hyde Park Circle – northeast of Bayview and Lawrence Aves. – around 3:40 a.m. Thursday.
Four bandits broke in through the home’s back door while David Morton, 75, CEO of The Mac Group, his wife Doriana Zohil-Morton, 64, and their two daughters, 26 and 28, slept.
“The family, asleep in their home, (was) awakened by three masked suspects entering into their bedroom with firearms and a hammer,” Smith said. “During the incident, three of these family members were shot – two were struck in the head with a hammer.”
All four victims were taken to the hospital.
Hospital notified cops after gunshot victim turned up
The home invaders, simply described by cops as men around 20 years old who were wearing dark clothing and masks at the time, fled the scene in a dark-coloured SUV.
Later that day, Smith said police responded to a call regarding a man who had turned up at a hospital with a gunshot wound.
“We believe that he was accidentally shot by one of the other suspects in this home invasion,” she said.
“There is an agreement in place that we get notified when gunshot victims show up at a hospital,” Smith said, referring to Ontario’s Mandatory Gunshot Wounds Reporting Act, which states health care facilities are legally required to notify the police immediately when treating a patient with a gunshot wound.
- WARMINGTON: Cops release descriptions of suspects in violent Bridle Path home invasion
- WARMINGTON: Three people shot in 'violent interaction' during Bridle Path home invasion
Cops spoke to suspect but did not detain him
Officers responded to the hospital, had “numerous interactions” with the suspect, yet Richards was not detained.
“We arrived at the hospital, we made an investigation, and I know the question is going to come about, ‘Why did we not arrest him at the time?'” Smith said.
“When someone walks into a hospital, there’s a lot of things that need to happen in the period of time from when we become aware of them to us forming the reasonable grounds that we need to make an arrest and link that person to the crime of this home invasion,” she explained.
“So, through hard work and diligent investigation, including our partners at the Centre of Forensic Sciences, and excellent canvassing of officers out in the community, we were able to make that link,” Smith said.
She said to get a conviction that link must be “iron clad” rather than just based on “suspicion.”
Unfortunately, investigators didn’t make the connection until Friday night – hours after Richards had been discharged from the hospital.
Police have released a photo of Richards, from a prior arrest, hoping members of the public can help track him down.
“Richards was shot in the right shoulder and, as such, he may be experiencing pain or discomfort in that area,” Smith said, explaining people who spot him may notice him “favouring that side of his body.”
She said it’s believed the home invaders targeted the neighbourhood because of its “affluence” rather than specifically targeting the Morton family.
“Quite often, (home invaders) just pick one home in a neighbourhood and that’s the one they (decide to break into),” Smith said.
She said the Morton family should have felt safe in their home, instead they were confronted by armed men and “subjected to what can only be described as an appalling level of violence – all for the purpose of acquiring property.”
Two of the victims have since been released from hospital and two are still in hospital being treated for their injuries.
“Through the grace of God, they are in life-altering condition and not life-threatening condition,” Smith said.
In a statement released to CTV on Friday, David Morton said his family was “deeply concerned about the increasing violence associated with home invasions and the safety of families throughout Toronto.”
“No family should ever have to experience this,” he said. “People should be able to sleep peacefully in their homes without fear of armed individuals breaking in and threatening their lives.”
Suspect’s ‘world just got smaller’
Smith said investigators are “working relentlessly” to “identify, locate and hold accountable” the culrpits behind the home invasion.
Speaking directly to the wounded suspect, Smith said: “We know who you are. And we’re actively looking for you. You’re world just got smaller.”
She advised Richards to contact a lawyer and make arrangements to surrender to police.
Cops have “some very grainy images” of the getaway vehicle, but Smith said the images are not clear enough to determine the make and model of the SUV.
“I want to emphasize that all (four) suspects are considered armed and dangerous,” Smith said. “And we are asking that members of the public not approach them.”
Anyone with information regarding this home invasion, the whereabouts of Richards or the identities of the other three home invaders, is urged to call the Hold Up Squad at 416-808-7350.
cdoucette@postmedia.com
@sundoucette