Silence stalls hunt for killers
'Witnesses refuse to assist us,' detective says
Last Updated: 25th September 2009, 4:29am
Investigators are facing a wall of silence from witnesses in their pursuit of two killers and not dragging their feet on the cases as the victims' families claim, Toronto Police say.
Relatives of William Junior "Yoshie" Appiah, 18, and Jahmelle Grant, 26, told a news conference this week that police weren't doing enough to bring the killers to justice.
Detectives said every lead is being probed and "no stones are left unturned" in their hunt for the shooters.
Grant, a father of a young daughter, was shot dead on Feb. 1 at an alleged booze can on Weston Rd., south of Lawrence Ave. W.
Det. Ian Briggs said at least six clubgoers saw Grant being shot and have refused to talk to police.
"We have identified a number of witnesses but they refuse to assist us," Briggs said yesterday.
"We have to take a different investigative approach."
He said the club was packed with revellers who may have seen or heard the gunshots.
"We know he was driven to the hospital by his friends," Briggs said.
"They are adamant in not talking to police."
Appiah was gunned down while playing basketball outside a Jane St. and Finch Ave. W. highrise on Sept. 16 last year.
Police released a surveillance video of three suspects fleeing the scene in a car, but so far no arrests have been made.
Det.-Sgt. Gary Grinton said he's not getting help from witnesses and has turned to forensics.
"The video we released has been up on YouTube for some time," Grinton said yesterday. "The investigation is underway and we are developing forensic leads."
Anyone with information is being asked to call Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS or homicide detectives at 416-808-7400.
TOM.GODFREY@SUNMEDIA.CA
Source: Edited from the Toronto Sun
If you have any info, you are urged to call 1-800-222-TIPS
