Investigators have revealed the identity of a murder victim who was among five homeless men assaulted in unprovoked attacks allegedly committed by a 20-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy in August.
But they have yet to locate the 62-year-old man’s next-of-kin.
Toronto Police say the slain man was asleep on a bench in the area of Queen and Bay Sts. when he wasviolently attacked by two males– one of whom was armed with a hammer – shortly after 6 a.m.
The man was one of five victims described as “vulnerable” or “underhoused” by police who the two assailants attacked for no reason that day between 5:45 a.m. and 8:07 a.m., police said at the time.
Victim died four days later
He was taken to hospital, treated and released, only to be found dead outside four days later – on Sept. 4.
Police have said it’s believed the man died of the injuries he suffered when he was attacked.
Joseph Eric Aubin has now been identified as the city’s 29th homicide victim of the year.
“After exhaustive efforts, police are still unable to locate Mr. Aubin’s next-of-kin to notify them of his passing,” police said in a statement Wednesday.
Investigators are hoping members of the public can help locate the man’s family.
Aubin went by the name “Eric” and is believed to be from Quebec, police said.
Two suspects were subsequently identified and arrested on the day of the violent crime spree.
Isaiah Byers, 20, of Toronto, and a 12-year-old boy, who can’t be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, are charged with second-degree murder.
The accused also face robbery, assault with a weapon, and assault charges.
All of the attacks were unprovoked, “extremely violent,” and the victims did not know the assailants, police told a news conference on Sept. 15.
“What is very concerning is the age of one of the accused,” Deputy Chief Rob Johnson said at the time, adding it was “just unbelievable” that one of the accused is only 12 years old.
“This is really a call to action with all our community partners that we find a way to intervene when young people are involved with these kinds of horrendous crimes,” he said.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
“We’re working not only with our community partners but all levels of all governments to make sure that we have some reform in areas of bail reform, even the Youth Criminal Justice Act,” Johnson added.
Anyone with information regarding Aubin’s next-of-kin, or this string of unprovoked attacks, is asked to the Homicide Unit at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
