Police announced Thursday the arrest of one suspect in connection with last November’s execution-style murder of 25-year-old Neeko Mitchell in north Etobicoke – but the alleged triggerman and one of his accessories still remain at large.
Mitchell was gunned down in what police have called a targeted shooting on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, shortly after arriving at the North Kipling Community Centre (located near Kipling and Finch West avenues) at around 8:11 p.m.
"Neeko, like so many others that night, was at the community centre to see a basketball tournament. Not very long after he arrived, Neeko was sought out by others present at the tournament and was, for all intents and purposes, was ambushed and killed execution style," said Det. Sgt. Brian Borg, noting that Mitchell was pronounced dead at the scene and had "no chance of survival."
During a press conference back in December, police released the images of three suspects – two males and one female – captured by numerous closed-circuit cameras at the city-run community centre on the night of Mitchell’s murder.
A Canada-wide arrest warrant on a charge of first-degree murder for one of those suspects – 23-year-old suspected gunman Reshane Hayles-Wilson – was issued on Jan. 23.
"Unfortunately I’m disappointed, as are Neeko’s family, to say that Mr. Hayles-Wilson remains at large as a fugitive from justice and has not been arrested yet for this murder," Borg announced at Thursday’s media briefing.
"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that wherever he his, he continues to pose a serious risk to the public and to the police. He is violent, most likely involved in criminal activity and should be considered armed and dangerous."
Borg said there is also "absolutely no doubt" that Hayles-Wilson has and is being aided by others who know he is wanted for murder and who are assisting him in avoiding apprehension and prosecution.
Police believe they have now captured one of those people.
On Monday, June 23, 28-year-old Tyrone Michael Knott of Toronto was arrested by members of 23 Division and the Homicide Squad and charged with accessory after the fact to murder for his alleged role in assisting Hayles-Wilson in the immediate time period after Mitchell’s murder, Borg said.
He appeared in court on Tuesday, and has since been remanded until his next court date on July 14.
In addition to Knott’s arrest, Borg also announced Thursday that a second Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for a third suspect wanted in connection with Mitchell’s murder.
Like Knott, Borg said Kashana Duncan, 28, of Toronto, is wanted for the offence of accessory after the fact to murder for her alleged role in assisting Hayles-Wilson in the immediate time period after Mitchell’s murder.
"Let me be very clear about this, this is serious. It is a serious criminal offence to assist or harbour someone who you know is wanted for any serious criminal offence or who has committed a murder. Those who knowingly do this are placing themselves and their livelihoods at serious risk," Borg said.
"I assure you, anyone found to be assisting Mr. Hayles-Wilson at any time after Neeko Mitchell’s murder, or found to be assisting Kashana Duncan now that they know she is wanted by police authorities, will be arrested, charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Borg urged anyone who with information about Mitchell’s murder, or who has information as to the whereabouts of Hayles-Wilson or Duncan to contact the Toronto Police Homicide Squad at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
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