Toronto police charged 15-year-old with second-degree murder following Monday’s Scarborough shooting

Toronto police have charged a 15-year-old boy with second-degree murder after the shooting of a fellow teen in Scarborough on Monday afternoon. Safiullah Khosrawi was gunned down on Monday while walking home from school in the Markham-Ellesmere Rds. area at about 3:10 p.m. He was rushed to the hospital but later died from his injuries. 

The suspect attended Woburn Collegiate Institute, near the scene of the shooting. His identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The arrested teen is known to police and Det.-Sgt. Andy Singh told the Toronto Sun: “I can say the suspect had gang ties. The victim was completely innocent” said Det.-Sgt. Andy Singh. “It’s too early to tell if this was a targeted shooting … we are open to all possibilities,” Singh said.

“Nothing in his background indicates that he was,” Singh added, saying police are investigating if anyone else was involved in the shooting. “There is no indication of a second suspect,” Singh said. The suspect in custody was arrested within 20 minutes of the shooting near the scene and no gun has been recovered. 

Singh said the shooting took place at a busy street corner and there are still many witnesses to speak with.“Many citizens would have been witness to this scene. A large percentage of witnesses are outstanding.” Woburn Collegiate was closed on Tuesday because of a one-day teachers’ strike, but counselling will be made available to any student who requires help.“We are in close touch with the TDSB (Toronto District School Board) and will be in close touch in the days to come,” Singh said.

Woburn principal Karen Hume wrote: “Our student, Safiullah Khosrawi, was a conscientious and hardworking student who will be sorely missed by our students and staff,” said in a story by the Toronto Sun. 

The school will have a book of condolences and the flag will be flown at half-mast.

Anyone with information is urged to call police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).