Teens murdered in housing complex 'innocent bystanders,' police say

TORONTO - O’She Doyles-Whyte and Kwame Duodu were just two “innocent” boys enjoying a beautiful summer day when they were slaughtered at a North York housing complex last month, a Toronto Police said Wednesday.

And now homicide investigators are hoping someone will recognize the bicycles used by the gunman and his two accomplices to flee the scene, so they can get the young killer off the street.

“I do not believe in any way, shape or form, that these boys were the intended targets,” Det.-Sgt. Terry Browne said of Doyles-Whyte, 16, and Duodu, 15.

The veteran officer is convinced the two pals, who were gunned down Aug. 23 in front of Duodo’s townhouse unit on Grandravine Dr., were “innocent bystanders.

“They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said.

Browne also believes the two young boys who accompanied the shooter are experiencing some sleepless nights, constantly wondering if this is the day officers will show up at their home.

And the pair are no doubt even more troubled knowing Doyles-Whyte and Duodu weren’t the intended targets. All three boys have good reason to be anxious.

Browne said a lot of people at the Toronto Community Housing complex south of Jane St. and Finch Ave. seem to know who opened fire.

He hinted detectives know the killer’s name, the name of the intended target and possibly what prompted the shooter and his pals to ride into the complex, open fire and then take off, dumping the three mountain bikes at a nearby park.

But although lots of information has been passed onto investigators through word-of-mouth and anonymous tips, Browne said it’s not quite enough to make an arrest.

“I’m very grateful to those who have come forward so far and provided us with valuable information, but there is a lot more work that needs to be done in this investigation,” he said.

“Rather than just shout out a name, I need someone to point out an individual,” Browne said, adding he’s “quite confidant there are people within the community who have vital information that can advance this investigation.”

He said an arrest could be made quickly if those people “step up.”

“These are two young boys who did not deserve to have this happen to them,” Browne said. “If I sound frustrated it’s because our team has put a lot of effort into this and it is clearly solvable.”

Investigators are awaiting results of forensic testing on the bikes.
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