Bridle Path home invasion: Toronto police name suspect Daijohn Richards, 23

Toronto police have identified Daijohn Richards, 23, as a suspect in a violent home invasion where four family members were shot and attacked with a hammer.

Suspect named in violent Bridle Path home invasion; family of real estate CEO among victims

Toronto police have publicly named a suspect in connection with a brutal home invasion in the Bridle Path neighbourhood, in which four members of a prominent businessman's family were shot and attacked with a hammer, ca.news.yahoo.com reports.

Daijohn Richards, 23, of Toronto was identified at a Saturday news conference by Insp. Kristy Smith as a suspect wanted in the ongoing investigation.

Richards entered a Toronto hospital with a gunshot wound on Thursday — believed to have been accidentally inflicted by an accomplice during the attack, Smith said.

"Richards was shot in the right shoulder and as such he may be experiencing pain or discomfort in that area and people may look to see him favouring that side of his body," she said.

Released from hospital before arrest could be made

Police interacted with Richards on Thursday at the hospital but lacked sufficient grounds to detain him at that point, Smith said. He was released Friday afternoon.

"We need to make sure we ironclad a conviction and don't just go off of suspicion," she said.

Law enforcement is typically notified when a patient arrives with a gunshot wound, but officers cannot make an arrest without reasonable grounds linking the individual to a specific crime, Smith explained.

Addressing Richards directly at the news conference, Smith warned that his "world just got smaller" and urged him to seek legal counsel and surrender to authorities. Police declined to disclose details of any prior arrests or charges against Richards, citing the integrity of potential court proceedings.

Two additional suspects remain unidentified

Investigators are also seeking two other suspects, Smith said. Beyond the fact that they were wearing dark clothing and are believed to be in their 20s, no further identifying information is available.

"All three suspects are considered armed and dangerous and we are asking members of the public to not approach them," she said. Anyone with information is urged to contact Toronto Police Service.

Family of four attacked in their bedrooms

The incident unfolded on Thursday morning when police responded to reports of a home invasion near Hyde Park Circle and Post Road. Three suspects, armed with handguns and a hammer, forced entry into the residence and demanded valuables.

The victims — a 75-year-old father, a 64-year-old mother, and their 26- and 28-year-old daughters — were assaulted in their bedrooms.

"The family asleep in their homes were awakened by three masked suspects entering their bedrooms," Smith said.

David Morton, CEO of real estate services company MAC Group, confirmed in an emailed statement issued Friday that three members of his family were shot during the invasion and that all four were attacked with a hammer.

"No family should ever have to experience this," Morton said, describing his family as traumatized and in recovery.

Smith offered a measured update on their medical status: "What I can say is that through the grace of god, [the family members in hospital right now] are in life-altering condition, and not life-threatening condition."

Motive believed to be opportunistic

There is no evidence to suggest the attack was targeted, Smith said. Investigators believe the motive was financial — the Bridle Path area, one of Toronto's most affluent neighbourhoods, was described as a location "where there are things that are sought after."

On the question of self-defence, Smith acknowledged that Canada's Criminal Code permits residents to protect their home in dangerous situations, but cautioned that individuals bear legal responsibility for any force used.

"You are justified by law, but that's a case-by-case situation," she said, adding that contacting police remains the recommended course of action wherever possible.

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)