Toronto police are facing questions over why a suspected home invader was allowed to leave hospital after officers learned he might have been involved in a brutal attack on a millionaire CEO and his family.
Daijohn Richards, 23, is accused of helping terrorize property executive David Morton, 75, his wife and their two daughters inside their $2.1 million mansion before being accidentally shot by one of his alleged accomplices.
Richards later arrived at a Toronto hospital with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Police questioned him there but did not arrest him.
By the time detectives had collected enough evidence to connect him to the crime, Richards had been discharged, leaving investigators searching for someone they had already interviewed.
Toronto Police addressed the controversy on X on Saturday, acknowledging concerns about the way the investigation had been handled.
‘We want to address some confusion surrounding the investigation into the home invasion in the Bridle Path neighbourhood,’ the department said.
‘Investigators immediately recognized the potential connection between the home invasion and the individual who showed up at hospital with a gunshot wound.’
However, police said that suspecting Richards was involved did not, by itself, provide sufficient grounds to arrest him.
Daijohn Richards, 23, is accused of helping terrorize property executive David Morton, 75, his wife and their two daughters inside their $2.1 million mansion before being accidentally shot by one of his alleged accomplices
Toronto police are facing questions over why a suspected home invader was allowed to leave hospital
Morton, CEO of MAC Group, was sleeping with his family when masked suspects armed with handguns and a hammer entered the property shortly after 3.30am
‘But recognizing a potential suspect and having enough evidence to arrest them are two different things. Suspicion alone isn’t enough. Police need reasonable grounds, supported by evidence, to make an arrest.’
The department defended the detectives involved, praising their ‘professionalism, tenacity and commitment’ and saying the investigation remained active.
‘Let’s keep the focus where it belongs: finding the outstanding suspects and holding those responsible for this violent home invasion accountable,’ the statement said.
The statement followed questions directed at Inspector Kristy Smith during a Saturday news conference about why Richards had been permitted to leave the hospital.
‘We arrived at the hospital, we made an investigation, and I know the question is going to come about, “Why did we not arrest him at the time?”‘ she said.
Ontario law requires hospitals to notify police when treating patients for gunshot wounds.
Officers went to the hospital and had what Smith called ‘numerous interactions’ with Richards, but investigators had not yet established reasonable grounds to arrest him.
Detectives later connected Richards to the crime through forensic analysis and inquiries in the neighborhood, with support from the Centre of Forensic Sciences.
The suspects confronted Morton, 75, his 64-year-old wife and their two adult daughters, Maggie and Cristina Zohil-Morton, both in their 20s
Toronto resident Daijohn Richards, 23, was identified by police as one of three suspects wanted over the violent home invasion
Richards sought treatment at St Joseph’s Health Centre shortly afterward, where staff notified police under Ontario’s mandatory reporting rules for gunshot wounds, police said
Morton’s wife, 64-year-old Doriana Zohil-Morton, was ‘smashed in the head’ with the hammer
By the time that evidence was assembled, Richards was no longer at the hospital.
Police have since issued a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest following Thursday’s horrifying attack on Morton, the CEO of Toronto-based real estate company MAC Group, and his family.
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Three masked men carrying guns and a hammer entered the family’s luxury home through a rear entrance in the exclusive Bridle Path neighborhood at about 3:40am.
Morton, his 64-year-old wife Doriana Zohil-Morton, and their daughters Maggie and Cristina, aged 28 and 26, were asleep when the intruders entered their bedrooms and demanded valuables.
A violent confrontation followed. Morton and both daughters were shot, while two members of the family were also hit in the head with a hammer.
All four victims were taken to hospital. Two have been released, while the other two remain hospitalized with injuries described as life-altering.
Investigators believe one of Richards’ alleged accomplices shot him in the right shoulder during the confrontation.
‘We believe that he was accidentally shot by one of the other suspects in this home invasion,’ Smith said.
Morton and one daughter were shot in the leg, while his other daughter was hit by a bullet beneath the arm
Toronto Police identified Richards as one of three suspects linked to the home invasion at CEO David Morton’s $2.1 million property in the affluent Bridle Path neighborhood
The attackers escaped in a dark-colored SUV. Police have obtained only grainy surveillance images and have been unable to determine the vehicle’s make or model.
The Mortons’ expansive property, valued at roughly $2.1 million, includes a swimming pool, tennis court and private gardens.
Police believe the men may have targeted the wealthy neighborhood because of the valuables likely to be found in its homes, rather than specifically selecting the Morton family.
Morton previously told Our News Outlet that his family had suffered a ‘terrifying and life-threatening experience’ in the place where they should have felt safest.
‘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,’ he said.
‘No family should ever have to experience this. People should be able to sleep peacefully in their homes without fear of armed individuals breaking in and threatening their lives.’
Toronto police said an ‘altercation’ began after the three masked men demanded the family’s valuables, leaving Morton and his two adult daughters with gunshot wounds
Toronto Police Inspector Kristy Smith said violent home invasions had increased in affluent Toronto neighborhoods
Investigators believe Richards was accidentally shot in the right shoulder by one of his alleged accomplices as the group terrorized the family and demanded valuables, police said
Richards is wanted on several charges, including four counts each of discharging a firearm with intent to wound and robbery with a firearm, as well as three counts of aggravated assault.
He is also charged with breaking and entering, possessing a prohibited device and wearing a disguise with intent.
Police have released his photograph and warned that discomfort from his shoulder injury may make him easier to identify.
Smith issued a direct message to the fugitive during Saturday’s news conference.
‘We know who you are. And we’re actively looking for you. Your world just got smaller,’ she said.
The other two masked suspects have not been identified publicly.
‘I want to emphasize that all three suspects are considered armed and dangerous,’ Smith warned, urging the public not to approach them.
