Ghanaian Father of 4 Killed In Canada, While Standing At A Bus Stop

By Gifty Arthur

A 39-year-old husband and father of four, Adu Boakye, has tragically lost his life in Toronto, Canada during what Police, say is a random gunfire by an unknown man last Saturday, February 17, 2024.

The horrifying incident, is said to have happened at a bus stop, where the deceased was waiting to board a bus.

Boakye, who reportedly arrived in that country three months ago for greener pastures and was allegedly going out to send money to his family back home in Ghana, was one of two victims in the shooting in North York area in Northwest Toronto.

Toronto Police reports, indicate that the father and husband, died at the hospital, while receiving treatment after sustaining gunshot wounds.

An online fundraising platform GoFundMe, has since been activated to solicit for financial support for Boakye’s family back home in Ghana.

One Facebook user, Richardson Adorsu, who initiated the move said, “We the community are raising funds to support a family who has lost their father, their husband, their son, a brother and friend. Adu Boakye came to Canada seeking a better life for himself and family. Adu was shoot while standing at the bus stop at Jane and Driftwood, while waiting for the bus to go and send money to his wife back home in Ghana.

A gunman walked up to him and shot him two times in his stomach and as he tried to run, he fell and he was then again shot in his face.

Adu was the primary provider for his family with four children and also his elderly parents. This devastating situation is a big loss for a family, who is so far and cannot be here to see Adu for the last time. We are pleading with the community at large to help raise funds to help the family with funeral cost. We thank you in advance for your thoughtful support”.

Manhunt For Culprits

Meanwhile, authorities have labelled the incident as a gang-related attack and have urged the public to come forward with any information that may lead to the apprehension of the perpetrator or perpetrators involved in the shooting.

A police statement on the incident on Tuesday reads in part, “On Saturday, February 17, 2024, at approximately 3:05 p.m., police responded to a call for shooting in the Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue area.

A detective, Phillip Campbell, said Adu Boakye and another unnamed 16-year-old boy, who was on his way to play volleyball were “shot indiscriminately” less than 24 hours apart, while waiting for a bus in the area of Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue on Friday and Saturday.

“It is reported that: the victim was located with gunshot wounds. Life-saving measures were performed and the man was transported to hospital. The man succumbed to his injuries at the hospital and was pronounced deceased,” it added.

“The victim has been identified as Adu Boakye, 39, of Ghana,” the February 20, statement released by the Homicide and Missing Persons United confirmed.

The police statement continued, “Our investigation thus far has revealed there is no relationship between Mr Boakye and the individual, or individuals, who shot him,” Det. Phillip Campbell told reporters.

“And like the victim shot the day before, Boakye was innocently going about his business [when he was shot],” he added.

The Police, have since released some details about the assailant in what they say is a gang attack, asking the public to volunteer information that could lead to his arrest.

Suspect Identified

Toronto police, have identified the suspect through video canvassing who fled the scene in a stolen black Acura RDX with licence plate CVEN 900.

A press release from the Toronto police, described the suspect as male, black, 18-25 years old, with a thin build who wore a black coat, a white hoodie, black pants, black shoes, a black face covering and possibly a white surgical mask when he attacked the Ghanaian.

Investigators, have said they believe the shootings are connected. A suspected stolen vehicle used by the suspect, or suspects, in both incidents was later found abandoned in Hamilton, Campbell added. Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen a black Acura RDX in the area before or after the shootings to contact them.

Campbell reiterated the back-to-back shootings, have “hallmarks of gang activity” but could not speak to any potential motive behind the attacks. Campbell did say that “nothing” in their investigation so far points to any gang affiliation for either victim.

At this point no arrests have been made, but police did release surveillance images of a suspect on Tuesday in an effort to identify him. He is described by police as a Black male, between the ages of 18 and 25, with a thin build. He was last seen wearing a black coat, white hoodie, black pants, black shoes, a black face covering and possibly a white surgical mask.

Campbell, said he is confident the suspect, will be identified eventually and said tips from the community will be a key part of the investigation’s success.

“I don’t think it will be difficult,” he said.

The incidents have triggered fear in some residents in a northwest Toronto neighbourhood, who say they were feeling uneasy Monday after the shooting incidents.

Anna Gualtieri, 54, said she often takes the same bus route in the area, but will now think twice about it for short trips, adding she chose to walk instead, when running errands on Sunday.

“I was on my way to go shopping and I was just scared,” she said. “I didn’t even want to leave my house, but because I was supposed to do something, that’s why I left to go do what I had to do.”

To see two attacks — one of which was fatal — in the same spot in such a short time is “shocking,” she said.

Another Ghanaian, Kwame Boamah, who lives close to the intersection, said it is sad to see such violence, particularly in an area with so many families and children.

“When this happened, we started calling our friends: ‘Is it your son (who was shot)? Is it your daughter?” he said.

Boamah, said he is worried about the effect the shootings might have on his kids, who are four and six years old, and who regularly play in the area that was earlier cordoned off by police for the investigation.

“It’s Family Day, and this is what we have to see,” he said.

Source: Anchorghana.com