Toronto police say six males with alleged ties to the Dixon Bloods gang have been arrested in connection with the murder of 22-year-old Malcolm Marfo.
The arrests came after search warrants were executed at eight residences in the area of Dixon Road and Kipling Avenue early Thursday morning. Police say one suspect is still outstanding.
The suspects, who police say were all present during the shooting, are facing charges of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Marfo was gunned down on the night of March 17 at an apartment complex located at 2063 Islington Avenue.
The shooting took place just hours after 21-year-old Ahmed Siyad was wounded by gunfire at the same Etobicoke address. Siyad's injuries were not life-threatening and police say he has not been charged in connection with the incident.
According to investigators, the motive for the shootings is still under investigation.
“If it is proven in court that the motive was out of retaliation, I would suggest that the individual that died that day had nothing at all to do with the events that occurred earlier in that building," Insp. Greg McLane told reporters during a news conference at police headquarters on Thursday morning.
“He was in a stairwell and confronted by the group. It could have been mistaken identity. There is a number of things that could have occurred. I don’t know what was in the mindset of the individuals that are responsible for this."
Police say on Thursday morning, they arrested and charged Lioban Hussein, 20, Mohamed Omar, 26, Saieed Hagi, 20, Sharmarke Farah, Ali Mohamed Isse, 21, and one youth, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The accused are all scheduled to appear in court at 2201 Finch Ave. later today.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Hanad Farah, 21, in connection with the murder.
“I recommend very strongly that this individual turn himself in to authorities immediately,” McLane said.
Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to contact Det. Srgt. Gary Giroux at 416-808-7400, ext. 77387, or Det. Srgt. Mike Patterson at 416-808-7400, ext. 77394.
“My investigators, along with members of 23 Division, will continue to investigate, analyze, and correlate information and evidence to further these investigations to identify other events that may have been committed at the hands of this group or the individuals that are associated to them," McLane said.
