06-14-2006, 05:24 AM
Police charge 8 in Creba shooting death
CTV.ca News Staff
Two men and one teen have been charged with second-degree murder in the Boxing Day shooting death of 15-year-old Jane Creba, and five others have been charged with manslaughter.
The accused were arrested almost six months after the incident in several pre-dawn raids conducted throughout Toronto Tuesday that netted dozens of suspects.
The three charged with second-degree murder are also facing six counts each of attempted murder in relation to six others wounded by gunfire.
Four men and one teenager face manslaughter charges in the Dec. 26 killing that occurred on Yonge Street during a gun battle between at least two gangs.
"All of the accused are members, or associates, of street gangs active in the city of Toronto," Police Chief Blair said at a news conference.
Charged with second-degree murder are Tyshaun Barnett and Louis Woodcock, who are both 19. The 17-year-old facing the same charges cannot be named by law.
Two people who were injured in the gunfight were among those charged, Blair said.
The eight suspects are the first directly linked to Creba's death.
In addition to the eight arrested, a warrant has been issued for a man now in England. Police will be seeking an extradition order, Blair said.
Another warrant has been issued for a youth.
The raids also led to charges being laid against 17 other people who face a number of offences involving drugs and firearms.
Blair said the investigation led police to the Tyendinaga Mohawk reserve about two hours east of Toronto, where they arrested and charged two men with firearms offences and growing and possessing more than $500,000 worth of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
Officers from the reserve's force and Ontario Provincial Police assisted in the Creba case, he said.
The other suspects have not yet been identified. All will appear in court Wednesday.
A man in a tan suit captured on video cameras, and considered a person of interest, was among those charged with manslaughter Tuesday. Police released his image to the public in March.
Last month, police offered a $50,000 cash reward to anyone with information that would lead to the conviction of Creba's shooter.
Blair refused to comment on what role the reward played in the arrests.
Fielding questions from reporters, the chief said it was "unlikely" more witnesses would be coming forward.
The arrests come almost six months after Creba's killing in what Blair described as a "long and pain-staking" investigation.
"These are complex investigations. There has been a Herculean effort made by the investigators in this case to gather the evidence necessary to bring those responsible to trial," he said.
"There were many offenders involved in difficult and chaotic circumstances, and that work takes time to complete, and it's now been completed."
Blair would not release the names of the suspected gangs involved, saying that would come out at trial.
Creba's family and the innocent bystanders wounded in the incident were told of the arrests, he said.
Two men were arrested within an hour of the shooting that took place near the Eaton Centre.
Andre Thompson, 20, and a 17-year-old who cannot be identified by law, remain in custody charged with gun offences for a 9 mm handgun recovered by officers.
Police said they have several people under the witness protection program in relation to the case.
Creba was the 78th homicide of 2005 and the 52nd homicide involving a firearm. Her death prompted calls for tougher gun laws.
More to come...
CTV.ca News Staff
Two men and one teen have been charged with second-degree murder in the Boxing Day shooting death of 15-year-old Jane Creba, and five others have been charged with manslaughter.
The accused were arrested almost six months after the incident in several pre-dawn raids conducted throughout Toronto Tuesday that netted dozens of suspects.
The three charged with second-degree murder are also facing six counts each of attempted murder in relation to six others wounded by gunfire.
Four men and one teenager face manslaughter charges in the Dec. 26 killing that occurred on Yonge Street during a gun battle between at least two gangs.
"All of the accused are members, or associates, of street gangs active in the city of Toronto," Police Chief Blair said at a news conference.
Charged with second-degree murder are Tyshaun Barnett and Louis Woodcock, who are both 19. The 17-year-old facing the same charges cannot be named by law.
Two people who were injured in the gunfight were among those charged, Blair said.
The eight suspects are the first directly linked to Creba's death.
In addition to the eight arrested, a warrant has been issued for a man now in England. Police will be seeking an extradition order, Blair said.
Another warrant has been issued for a youth.
The raids also led to charges being laid against 17 other people who face a number of offences involving drugs and firearms.
Blair said the investigation led police to the Tyendinaga Mohawk reserve about two hours east of Toronto, where they arrested and charged two men with firearms offences and growing and possessing more than $500,000 worth of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
Officers from the reserve's force and Ontario Provincial Police assisted in the Creba case, he said.
The other suspects have not yet been identified. All will appear in court Wednesday.
A man in a tan suit captured on video cameras, and considered a person of interest, was among those charged with manslaughter Tuesday. Police released his image to the public in March.
Last month, police offered a $50,000 cash reward to anyone with information that would lead to the conviction of Creba's shooter.
Blair refused to comment on what role the reward played in the arrests.
Fielding questions from reporters, the chief said it was "unlikely" more witnesses would be coming forward.
The arrests come almost six months after Creba's killing in what Blair described as a "long and pain-staking" investigation.
"These are complex investigations. There has been a Herculean effort made by the investigators in this case to gather the evidence necessary to bring those responsible to trial," he said.
"There were many offenders involved in difficult and chaotic circumstances, and that work takes time to complete, and it's now been completed."
Blair would not release the names of the suspected gangs involved, saying that would come out at trial.
Creba's family and the innocent bystanders wounded in the incident were told of the arrests, he said.
Two men were arrested within an hour of the shooting that took place near the Eaton Centre.
Andre Thompson, 20, and a 17-year-old who cannot be identified by law, remain in custody charged with gun offences for a 9 mm handgun recovered by officers.
Police said they have several people under the witness protection program in relation to the case.
Creba was the 78th homicide of 2005 and the 52nd homicide involving a firearm. Her death prompted calls for tougher gun laws.
More to come...