Police say that a 31-year-old Toronto man who is wanted in connection with a stabbing in the downtown core last week is the same person who was convicted of several charges following a mass shooting at a Scarborough community barbecue more than a decade ago.
Police issued an arrest warrant for Shaquan Mesquito on Wednesday morning, describing him as “dangerous” and warning the public not to approach him.
Mesquito is wanted for attempted murder in connection with a stabbing that took place near Yonge and Dundas streets at around 10:30 p.m. on July 11 that left another man with life-threatening injuries.
On Wednesday afternoon, police confirmed to CTV News that Mesquito is the same individual who was arrested following a mass shooting at barbecue on Danzig Street that killed two people and wounded more than 20 others back in 2012.
Mesquito, then 18, was initially charged with 27 offences in connection with the Danzig Street shooting, including two counts of murder.
However, he later pled guilty to lesser charges, including counselling to commit murder, possession of a firearm, breach of a prohibition order and uttering a threat.
The charges he was facing for first-degree murder were withdrawn at that time.
Following the guilty plea, Mesquito was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2016 but was given credit for time served.
His lawyer told the Canadian Press at the time that Mesquito wasn’t actually connected to the shooting “other than unfortunately taking credit for it afterwards.”
Police have not released any details about the circumstances leading up to the July 11 stabbing.
The victim, a 30-year-old man, was transported to hospital in life-threatening condition.
His current condition is not known.
With files from the Canadian Press
