A suspect wanted in connection with the shooting death of a 29-year-old Toronto man in the city’s east end last summer tops the list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives, police announced Tuesday.
A $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Michael Bebee, a 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Shamar Powell-Flowers exactly nine months ago.
The reward was announced on tuesday as Toronto Police unveil updated BOLO program list of the 25 most wanted fugitives in Canada.
At a news conference, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said that at the time of Powell-Flowers’ murder, Bebee was under a weapons ban for his role in another shooting in Toronto four years earlier.
The victim’s family released a statement Tuesday, saying they are still dealing with the loss of the 29-year-old, who was shot and killed near Danforth and Carlaw avenues in the early morning hours of July 23, 2023. .
“For nine months, we have been paralyzed not only by grief, but also by the realization that there are people who could help us, but who instead have chosen to remain silent,” the statement read.
“People who could step forward like our incredible Shamar would have stepped forward for them if the tables had been turned, if someone had not chosen to carry a gun and fire a shot that left a hole in their heart and soul. our hearts and in the hearts of so many. others.”
They described Powell-Flowers, a construction engineer, as “brave, loyal, ambitious, very intelligent and hard-working.”
“He was a guardian angel and a guiding star who always tried to save others. How cruel it is that this much loved and loved man, our Shamar, could not be saved and was abandoned to die alone.”
In total, the BOLO program offers a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects on the list.
In total, six Toronto suspects were named to this year’s list, including Cristian Cuxum, wanted for the October 2022 murder of Edwin Alvarado.
Alvarado was shot and killed at the La Liga Sports Complex, an indoor soccer and basketball facility near Finch Avenue West and Dufferin Street, on the night of Oct. 9, 2022. Police said a $100,000 reward is also being offered for information. leading to Cuxum’s arrest.
Deshawn Davis is listed as the 11th most wanted fugitive on the list for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of Elnaz Hajtamiri.
Hajtamiri was abducted on January 12, 2022 from a residence in Wasaga Beach and has not been seen or heard from since.
Max Langlois, director of BOLO, said that since the program launched six years ago, between 30 and 35 percent of the rewards offered have been raised.
Without including suspects on this year’s list, Langlois said 21 of the 58 suspects highlighted by the program have been arrested.
“I can tell you without a doubt that the vast majority of these cases have progressed in terms of investigative leads,” Langlois said.