Third GTA man charged in connection with deadly Wasaga Beach stabbing
Ontario Provincial Police have now charged a new suspect with murder in connection with a deadly stabbing in Wasaga Beach on Sunday, and downgraded charges against two other men, all from the GTA.
Huronia West OPP issued a release Wednesday, stating it charged 25-year-old Micha Duran of Brampton with second-degree murder in the death of Mustafa Khaleel.
"Interviews have been conducted and evidence reviewed. Because of all the hard work, we were able to piece together what so tragically occurred on Sunday the 13th and have identified the person responsible for the stabbing of Mustafa Khaleel," OPP Detective Inspector Martin Graham told CTV News.
According to police, Khaleel, 23, was found dead on Beach Area 1 with stab wounds. OPP Detective Inspector Martin Graham said there was no evidence the victim knew his alleged killer but said the violence wasn't random.
"It seems to have occurred between two groups of people that happened to be on the beach late on the evening of Saturday into Sunday," Graham explained.
Roughly 30 people were on the beach at the time, but police said it's unclear how many were involved in the deadly altercation.
Police said two other people were injured in the fight. They were treated and released from the hospital.
Police also said the murder charges against a 21-year-old Etobicoke man and a 25-year-old Brampton man had been withdrawn. The OPP said each is now charged with one count of assault with a weapon.
"Two previous persons, a twenty-one-year-old and a twenty-five-year-old, two adult males who had previously been charged with second degree murder in this case. They had their charges withdrawn in the Ontario court of justice in Barrie today. They were subsequently charged with assault with a weapon, each one count. And they were released on conditions," Graham outlined to CTV News.
Both were released from police custody following a court appearance.
"The evidence supported the charges as is being laid in this case to this point. While unusual to withdraw charges it felt necessary when the evidence that was previously had did not meet the standard required," Graham clarified.
Duran has been remanded into custody following his first court appearance on Wednesday.
The OPP credits the help from the public to help find those responsible in this case. "As with any investigation the identification of witnesses and those persons having information in any crimes is vital to the solving and bringing to a successful conclusion to any investigation and this is no different. Members of the public have come forward in addition to video that has been provided to us by the town of Wasaga Beach have aided greatly in identifying what happened in this incident," Graham said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.