Toronto police have identified a man who was injured during a violent home invasion at the mansion of a Canadian real-estate executive, saying they believe he may have been accidentally shot by one of his accomplices.
Daijohn Richards, 23, of Toronto, is wanted in connection with the armed robbery at the $2.1 million Bridle Path residence of MAC Group CEO David Morton, according to the Toronto Police Service.
Police said Morton, 75, his wife, Doriana Zohil-Morton, and their adult daughters, Maggie and Cristina, were confronted by masked intruders upstairs at about 3:45 a.m. Thursday.
The suspects, who were wearing hoodies and ski masks, entered the second floor of the six-bedroom home and demanded valuables. A struggle then erupted between the family and the attackers.
Morton and both of his daughters were shot during the confrontation, while his wife was allegedly struck with a hammer, the Toronto Sun reported.
The three suspects, all believed to be about 20 years old, fled the property and remained at large late Saturday.
Investigators believe Richards was hit in the shoulder by a bullet fired by one of the other two robbers during the struggle.
Police said Richards later went to St. Joseph’s Health Centre for treatment of the gunshot wound, according to authorities.
Hospital staff notified police about his injuries, and Richards was released “late Thursday morning,” CP24 reported.
Inspector Kristy Smith said officers did not immediately connect Richards to the crime because they lacked sufficient evidence at the time, according to the Daily Mail.
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Richards faces multiple charges, including three counts of discharging a firearm with intent, three counts of aggravated assault, robbery with a firearm, assault with a weapon and break and enter.
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The Toronto Police Service photo released of Richards suggests he has a prior criminal history.
“It is difficult to put into words the trauma of experiencing something so horrific in the one place where everyone should feel safest: their own home,” Morton said in a statement provided to The Post.
“No family should ever have to experience this,” he added. “People should be able to sleep peacefully in their homes without fear of armed individuals breaking in and threatening their lives.”
Morton and his daughters, who are both in their 20s, were injured as they tried to defend themselves against the three masked men. A source told the Toronto Sun that the family’s 64-year-old mother was beaten with a hammer.
According to the outlet, Morton and one of his daughters were shot in the leg, while the other daughter was wounded beneath the arm.
Inspector Smith said Thursday that two victims sustained “life-altering injuries” and were still hospitalized. The remaining victims were treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow urged anyone with information or video related to the incident to contact authorities, stressing that “Violence is not acceptable in our city.”
