2 teens charged with 1st-degree murder in tow truck homicide

Toronto police have charged two teenage boys with first-degree murder in connection with what they say was a tow truck industry-related homicide last month.

Sulakshan Selvasingam, 28, died in hospital on July 6 after he was found with gunshot wounds in a Scarborough parking lot.

In a news release Wednesday, police said they arrested a 15-year-old from Oshawa and a 16-year-old from Stouffville on July 15.

They said the teens were also responsible for 11 other shootings that took place between June 29 and July 14.

At a news conference Wednesday, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the tow truck industry "has been tainted by violence," including shootings and arson.

Shootings and firearm discharges in Toronto have increased by 50 per cent compared to last year, he said.

Demkiw said 14 per cent of that increase is related to an ongoing turf war within a small segment of the tow truck industry.

Since January, he said the city has seen 43 tow truck industry-related shootings and firearm discharges.

Police said it's possible the uptick in violence is related to new requirements in Ontario, effectiveJuly 1, requiringtow truck drivers to have a provincial certificate to operate.

But after the two teens were arrested, Staff Supt. Joe Matthews said shootings related to the tow truck industryhave significantly decreased.

Police said 17-year-old has also been charged after he allegedly opened fire on two parked tow trucks on May 15 near Markham Road and Steeles Avenue E.

No one was in the trucks at the time of the shooting.

Theyarrested a 33-year-old man from Oshawa, who they say paid the teen to commit the shooting.

Matthews said it is unclear whether the 17-year-old is connected to other two teens. But police believe they were all similarly recruited to commit the crimes.

Teens being recruited to commit violence: police

Teenagers who likely don't have direct ties to the tow truck industry are hired as they can be "enticed" to commit violent acts with smaller amounts of money, Matthews said.

"Youths are being targeted to commit acts that other people want done out on the street," he said.

They would also face significantly different criminal consequences than adults, he said.

Youth firearm arrests in Toronto have skyrocketed by 161 per cent over the past two years, according to police data released in July.

At the time, police said the spike was partly due to gangs recruiting children.

Staff Supt. Kelly Skinner said police are working with residents, community leaders, faith leaders and educators to address youth violence.

"Cycles of violence, negligence, poverty and trauma often drive the damage that we as the police are often trying to prevent," Skinner said.