Toronto police say two $50,000 rewards are being offered on behalf of the Bolo Program for any information leading to the arrest of two wanted men in connection with separate murder investigations.
The first $50,000 reward is for information leading to the arrest of a man wanted in a fatal shooting that took place April 3 on Trehorne Drive in the area of Royal York and Eglinton Avenue.
Police said two men were driving north on Scarlett Road when another vehicle approached them and opened fire.
The two men were taken to hospital. One had serious but not life-threatening injuries. The other, Habil Hassan, 21, was pronounced dead at hospital, police said.
Two suspects were identified and one surrendered on April 22, police said.
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However, the second suspect, Mohamed Hassan, 22, remains pending and is wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant for first-degree murder and attempted murder.
Police said Hassan is believed to be in the Greater Toronto Area.
This was Toronto’s 17th homicide in 2021.
The second $50,000 reward is for information leading to the arrest of a man wanted in a shooting that took place on September 18 in the area of Oak and Sumach streets.
Investigators said three victims were injured by gunshots during a shootout. Two of them were taken to hospital and the third victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim was identified as Thane Murray, 27, a Toronto city worker who worked at the Regent Park Community Center.
Three months after the shooting, on December 14, police identified three suspects wanted in the shooting. Two of them were found and arrested that same day, however, the third is still pending.
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Police said Jabreel Elmi, 28, is wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant for first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. He is also believed to be in the Greater Toronto Area.
This was Toronto’s 61st homicide in 2021.
The rewards have been made possible through the Bolo Program. The program was launched in 2018, and police said that instead of taking leads, they amplify search prompts through social media, traditional billboard advertising, and the use of a mobile digital ad truck and encourage people to to call Crime Stoppers or the police.
Both rewards are available until January 7, 2023, police said.
“Bolo’s message is simple but effective. Stay tuned,” Insp. Hank Idsinga told reporters Thursday.
“We don’t need him to testify in court,” Idsinga said. “The cases against Mohamed Hassan and Jabreel Elmi are ready to go to trial. We simply need your help in locating them.
Sean Sportun of Toronto Crime Stoppers said that in “more than 35 years… not once have we compromised an informant.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7100 for the homicide squad, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
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