Toronto police have arrested one man in the homicide case of Ryerson graduate Christopher Skinner, police said at a press conference Thursday.
Agustin Caruso, a 23-year-old resident of Etobicoke, was arrested Wednesday morning in the city’s north-end and has been charged with second-degree murder, Det. Sgt. Stacy Gallant said.
Skinner, 27, was trying to catch a cab in October 2009 when he was brutally assaulted and run over by a black SUV, according to police. He died of his injuries later in hospital.
Caruso, who was 19 years old at the time of the incident, was allegedly driving the 2004 black Ford Explorer, Gallant said.
In total, four males and two females were in the car, according to Gallant, who said he had “some idea” of their identities.
“Obviously the people in the vehicle know who they are,” Gallant said. “I’m sure they’re aware that I am pursuing them and looking at them and that will continue until I have all the information of what everyone, each and every person, in that vehicle knew and what their participation in the events that night were.”
At least two further arrests in the case are expected, although Gallant said potentially “everyone in the vehicle could (be charged).”
Some of the crime’s motives will be revealed as the case goes through the courts, but Gallant said it was not a hate crime.
Skinner’s parents, Warren and Ellen Skinner, spoke at the news conference, thanking police for making sure the case never went cold.
“This doesn’t do anything to bring Christopher back and it starts a whole new chapter of agony and pain that we have to go through,” said Skinner’s mother, Ellen.
“I just think we just honour the spirit, honour Christopher’s spirit and never let anyone forget it.”
With files from Jean Ko Din
Check out our earlier live-blog from the Toronto police press conference:
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