Toronto and York Region homicide detectives say a 19-year-old from Edmonton, Alta., is wanted across Canada for two separate murders that have captured attention in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) since late January.
Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar, 37, of Brampton, Ont., was shot around 3:30 p. m. ET on Feb. 7 outside Woodbine Mall. Officers with the Toronto Police Service (TPS) found him injured in the parking lot and he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Investigators later confirmed that the shooting was targeted.
“Mr. Raja Nandakumar was a respected member of his community,” said TPS Detective Sgt. Sandra Arruda. “He maintained strong connections with others in the GTA, particularly those from the same region of India. Those who knew him described him as kind, generous and always willing to help his friends.”
Toronto police announced that they are searching for 19-year-old Isaiah Thomas Badger from Edmonton, Alta., in connection with Raja Nandakumar’s murder.
“Anyone with information about Badger’s whereabouts should not approach him but should contact police,” a TPS spokesperson advised.
Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar, 37, (left) was fatally shot on Feb. 7 outside Woodbine Mall while Sergio Lopes, 65, lost his life just weeks before that incident. Photo: Obituary and City News submission. Keep it Factual
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Beloved husband and father killed in broad daylight just days earlier
Just under two weeks prior, at around 1 p. m. ET on Jan. 26, York Regional Police (YRP) responded to reports of a shooting in a residential area near Highway 27 and Langstaff Road. The victim, Sergio Lopes, 65, from Richmond Hill, Ont., was found with gunshot wounds and later died at the hospital. Police stated that this attack was also targeted and noted that the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle shortly after firing shots. The car used by the suspect was later discovered abandoned and set on fire. “Mr. Lopes was a respected member of his community, a loving father and husband. His loss has been deeply felt,” said YRP Detective Sgt. Jonathan Nauman. Homicide detectives from both Toronto and York Region believe that Badger is linked to both fatal shootings. Jacob Wallace, another 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., is also sought regarding Lopes’ murder facing separate charges for first-degree murder and arson. Isaiah Thomas Badger, 19, (left), is wanted on first-degree murder charges related to two shooting homicides in Toronto and Vaughan. Jacob Wallace, 19, (right), is also wanted concerning the Vaughan shooting. Photo: TPS and YRP. “We allege that Mr. Badger shot Mr. Lopes while Mr. Wallace drove the vehicle used to escape after setting it ablaze,” said YRP Detective Sgt. Nauman. The authorities urged both men to turn themselves in promptly. “We’re coming for you,” said TPS Detective Sgt. Arruda. “… We don’t know what motivated these actions; our only link between both homicides seems to be this same suspect.” TPS Detective Sgt. Arruda mentioned that they still believe Badger and Wallace are within the GTA area. “They need to be caught immediately.”Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar, 37, (left) was fatally shot on Feb. 7 outside Woodbine Mall while Sergio Lopes, 65, lost his life just weeks before that incident. Photo: Obituary and City News submission. Keep it Factual
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