Toronto police chief offended at suggestion they lost Bridle Path home invasion suspect - National Post

Copy URL Facebook Linked In X (Twitter) Loading account options Sign In Manage Account Close account menu Sign Out By Chris Knight November 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. The Toronto Police Service kickoff to crime prevention week on Monday quickly took a turn into questions about an already committed crime — the home invasion last week in the city’s Bridle Path that wounded local CEO David Morton and his family, and resulted in police searching for a suspect, Daijohn Richards, who was himself briefly admitted to hospital.

Asked by a reporter to “clarify for the public how (Richards) was let go and is now missing,” Police Chief Myron Demkiw responded: “I actually take umbrage with the way you frame that question. That’s not what has been said by the police at all. We are very very clear. We are following the evidence as it becomes available. Had there been evidence to allow us to do something different, that’s what would have happened. We are following the evidence as expeditiously as we can, and the investigation continues to unfold.”

He would not give further details, he said, “to preserve the integrity of the investigation, as it is very very dynamic and active as we speak here today.”

We want to address some confusion surrounding the investigation into the home invasion in the Bridle Path neighbourhood.Investigators immediately recognized the potential connection between the home invasion and the individual who showed up at hospital with a gunshot wound.…

Demkiw was joined at the podium at 11 Division Headquarters by newly re-elected Mayor Olivia Chow, Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, Toronto Police Service Board Chair Councillor Shelley Carroll, Brian Callahan of the Toronto Police Association, and Dr. Jose Couto of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

They outlined a plan to set up designated buy-and-sell safe zones at or near police stations across the city, with camera surveillance and officers nearby, as a way to deter fraud and theft among online buyers when they meet to exchange money for goods.

However, all the speakers touched on the recent violence at the Morton home, in which David, his wife and two adult daughters were attacked by three masked individuals who forced their way in, armed with handguns and a hammer, which they used in the attack.

After the attack, a man now known to be Richards, age 23, of Toronto, was treated in hospital for a gunshot wound and then discharged. Police are now asking the public for help in finding him. The other two suspects were described as being in their 20s but have not been identified.

On Saturday, amid mounting criticism over Richards’ unknown whereabouts, police released a statement “to address some confusion surrounding the investigation.”

They noted: “Investigators immediately recognized the potential connection between the home invasion and the individual who showed up at hospital with a gunshot wound. But recognizing a potential suspect and having enough evidence to arrest them are two different things. Suspicion alone isn’t enough. Police need reasonable grounds, supported by evidence, to make an arrest.”

Asked by National Post what Toronto homeowners and residents can do to feel and be more safe in their homes, Demkiw replied: “I’d encourage everybody who has concerns to connect with their local division.”

He said the police run a program called Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, “where we can assist residents to examine the streetscape and immediate surroundings of their homes to make sure they’re as safe as they can be and as effectively protected as they can be, and consider the different things that can be put in place, whether it’s security systems or lighting or film on glass, locking mechanisms, etc.”

He added: “Connecting with your local division … would be very very important and will help everybody to address their unique circumstances on a case by case basis.”

Canadian CEO, daughters shot and wife attacked with hammer as masked suspects invade their multi-million dollar Toronto home https://t.co/OZy9MMs9HI pic.twitter.com/gFUGdyhZMZ

To a followup as to whether police have noticed any patterns in home invasions in recent months, Demkiw replied: “Well, we’re always looking for what our data points will tell us regarding any geospatial patterning or time patterning, but you know that doesn’t quite line up that way all the time. And often, what we have to do is do our preventative work in a broader area.”

“I really want to reassure Torontonians,” he added. “We totally understand their concern, and we are sparing no resource. Every resource necessary is being brought to bear on this case, and we continue to do our work regarding home invasions, shootings and other violent crimes in the city. And our police officers, our investigators, have all the tools they need, and will be provided every opportunity to advance their investigations, supported by the city and the command as required.”

Kerzner, the Ontario Solicitor General, added: “Our government, led by Premier Ford, will never apologize for being tough on crime. We will be relentless, and we will always, always stand with Ontarians. Somebody needs to know there’s somebody on their side.”

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