The 2023 Toronto Homicide Victim List is available here
On September 13, 2023, The Toronto Police Service made the public aware of a homicide investigation.
police responded to a call for a shooting in the Dolly Varden Boulevard/Ellesmere Road area on September 5th at 4:55 p.m.
On arrival police found a black Toyota Corolla which had collided with a tree. Dequan Demos, 21, of Toronto, was located inside the vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to hospital where he died of his injuries.
On Monday, September 11, 2023, Lawrence Bruce, 22, of Markham, was arrested and charged with:
- First-degree Murder
- Attempt Murder
- Several Firearms related charges
Update May 19th 2026
A judge found Lawrence Bruce guilty of second-degree murder in the 2023 shooting death of Toronto rapper Dequan “Dopeboy DQ” Demos.
Court heard the two argued at a Scarborough gas station after Bruce had confronted Demos over rap lyrics insulting Bruce’s deceased friends from the Malvern area. Demos allegedly threatened Bruce before driving away, but Bruce chased him through nearby streets, blocked his car, and fatally shot him at close range.
Bruce admitted to the shooting but claimed he only meant to scare Demos and acted out of fear and anger. The judge rejected that explanation, saying surveillance video showed Bruce intentionally pursued and trapped Demos before firing the shot.
The defence argued Bruce was provoked by threats and disrespectful lyrics, but the judge ruled that an ordinary person would not have lost control in the same situation and noted Bruce had opportunities to leave instead of continuing the confrontation.