The 2025 Toronto Homicide Victim List is available here

Toronto Police announced that they have arrested a 20-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy in connection with the second-degree murder of a 62-year-old man and a series of violent, unprovoked attacks in the downtown core.

The fatal incident occurred on August 31, 2025, at approximately 6:08 a.m near Queen Street West and Bay Street, where the victim was assaulted with a weapon. Though he was initially released from hospital, he was found unresponsive on September 4 and died at the scene.

His death is Toronto’s 29th homicide of 2025. The victim’s identity has not been released pending next-of-kin notification.

According to police, the homicide is linked to a string of assaults and robberies on the same morning (August 31).

It is further alleged that:

• on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at approximately 5:45 a.m., in the Yonge Street and Dundas Street West area
• the male victim was seated on a public bench when the suspects approached the victim and violently assaulted the victim with a weapon
• the victim managed to escape and fled the area
• the victim and suspects are not known to each other, and this attack was unprovoked

The victim sustained unknown injuries.

It is further alleged that:

• on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at approximately 5:52 a.m., in the Yonge Street and Dundas Street West area
• the 70-year-old male victim was in the area
• the suspects approached the victim and violently assaulted the victim with a weapon
• the victim fell to the ground and the suspects fled the area
• the victim and suspects are not known to each other, and this attack was unprovoked

The victim was transported to hospital with serious injuries.

It is further alleged that:

• on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at approximately 6:25 a.m., in the Gerrard Street West and Yonge Street area
• the 63-year-old male victim was in the area
• the suspects grabbed the victims phone
• the victim attempted to get his phone back
• the victim was pushed to the ground and the suspects fled the area
• the victim and suspects are not known to each other, and this attack was unprovoked

The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

It is further alleged that:

• on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at approximately 8:07 a.m., in the College Street and Yonge Street area
• the male victim was in the area
• the suspect approached the victim, and the victim started to walk away
• the suspect then assaulted the victim
• the victim fled the area
• the victim and suspects are not known to each other, and this attack was unprovoked
• the suspects were arrested a short time later

All victims were unknown to the suspects, and each attack was unprovoked.

Isaiah Byers, 20, of Toronto, has been charged with:

• Second-degree murder
• 3 counts of robbery
• 2 counts of assault with a weapon
• Aggravated assault

A 12-year-old male, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, faces:

• Second-degree murder
• 4 counts of robbery
• 2 counts of assault with a weapon
• Aggravated assault

Update October 14th: The victim has been identified as Joseph Eric Aubin, 68. Police said that after exhaustive efforts, police are still unable to locate Mr. Aubin’s next-of-kin to notify them of his passing. Police are seeking assistance from the public to locate next-of-kin for Mr. Aubin. Mr. Aubin went by the name ‘Eric’ and is believed to be from Quebec.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.