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Autopsies confirm two men found in separate burning vehicles in Scarborough and Etobicoke were shot dead before the fires. One victim is identified as 32-year-old Marcus Charles.
Toronto police say two people found dead inside burning vehicles in Scarborough and Etobicoke earlier this week were the victims of homicide. Autopsies confirmed that both men sustained fatal gunshot wounds before their bodies were placed in cars and set on fire.
Vehicle Fires In Scarborough And Etobicoke
The first incident occurred just before 11:25 p.m. on Sept. 21 on Reesor Road, between Steeles Avenue and Old Finch Road, in Scarborough. Police said a vehicle fire was reported and first-responders later located a body inside the vehicle. About an hour and a half later, another vehicle fire was reported at James Garden Park on Edenbridge Drive in Etobicoke, near Royal York Road and Dundas Street. A body was also found in that vehicle.
Speaking during a news conference on Friday afternoon, Det. -Sgt. Henri Marsman said autopsies confirmed both men sustained fatal gunshot wounds prior to the fires. The Scarborough victim has now been identified as 32-year-old Marcus Charles.
Marsman said Charles, a Scarborough resident, was identified through fingerprints. The second victim has not yet been identified. No suspect information has been released in either case. Marsman said Charles' body was found inside a rental vehicle and the vehicle in the second homicide was stolen from somewhere in the GTA.
Homicide Victims Identified By Police
He said investigators believe Charles was killed within a 24-hour period prior to the fire. The homicide detective said it is too early to tell if the vehicle fires are connected. On its face there is a lot of commonalities, but I have to rely on solid evidence to make that determination and we are not at that stage yet, he said. We are actively doing a video canvas so members of the public can expect us in the area.
Marsman said investigators believe that both victims were targeted and there is no ongoing threat to the public. Officers are investigating both homicides but have not confirmed a connection between the two deaths. Toronto fire responded to the first vehicle fire in Scarborough at 11:24 p.m. Monday near Reesor Road and Steeles Ave. E., and found a body inside.
Charles was identified using his fingerprints, Marsman said. Just over an hour after crews responded to the first vehicle fire Monday night, another burning car was reported in the area of James Garden park in Etobicoke. Emergency responders also found a body inside that vehicle. The investigation remains active.
Police are asking anyone with information to come forward as they continue to canvass the area for video evidence.
CBCToronto
CP24:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Burning Vehicles Scarborough Etobicoke Marcus Charles
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