Amid criticism, Toronto police say they couldn’t arrest Bridle Path suspect at the hospital - National Post

Copy URL Facebook Linked In X (Twitter) Loading account options Sign In Manage Account Close account menu Sign Out Police believe suspect Daijohn Richards, 23, was accidentally shot by an accomplice. (Toronto Police Service) By National Post staff November 1, 2026 at 5:37 p.m. Last Updated: November 1, 2026 at 7:49 p.m. Toronto Police are moving to address what they call “confusion” about why a suspect in the violent Bridle Path home invasion that injured a family of four was allowed to leave the hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound himself.

Police are asking the public for help in finding Daijohn Richards, 23, of Toronto. The other two suspects were described as being in their 20s but have not been identified. Richards is believed to have been shot accidentally by one of the attackers.

Toronto police inspector Kristy Smith told reporters Saturday morning that police had spoken to Richards prior to him being discharged from hospital late Thursday morning. She added that police gathered evidence to arrest him by evening on Friday.

Amid social media criticism of the decision not to detain him, Toronto police issued a statement late Saturday afternoon.

“We want to address some confusion surrounding the investigation into the home invasion in the Bridle Path neighbourhood,” police said in the statement.

“Investigators immediately recognized the potential connection between the home invasion and the individual who showed up at hospital with a gunshot wound. But recognizing a potential suspect and having enough evidence to arrest them are two different things.”

“Police need reasonable grounds, supported by evidence, to make an arrest,” it added.

The statement, which was posted on X with replies turned off, was nevertheless flooded with fierce opposition among users.

“There is no realm of the universe in which this is an acceptable thing for law-enforcement to say and do (or more specifically, not do),” wrote @thevivafrei, who identified themselves as a former litigator, in a quote tweet.

“There’s a lot of ground between ‘arrest’ and ‘do nothing,’” wrote user @pdrobertson.

Richards is wanted for four counts of discharge firearm with intent to wound, four counts of robbery with a firearm, three counts of aggravated assault and three other charges. Police have released his image and said he may show signs of a shoulder injury.

“We will continue to gather evidence and will go where the evidence takes us. We are grateful for the professionalism, tenacity and commitment of our investigators who continue this work,” Toronto police said in the Saturday afternoon statement.

“Let’s keep the focus where it belongs: finding the outstanding suspects and holding those responsible for this violent home invasion accountable.”

At 3 a.m. on Thursday, three attackers armed with guns and a hammer broke into a home in Toronto affluent Bridle Path neighbourhood. The suspects, each armed with a gun, located the residents on the second floor and demanded valuables, police said.

The victims, David Morton, a 75-year-old real-estate executive, his wife Doriana Zohil-Morton, 64, and two adult daughters Maggie and Cristina, were all injured. Three family members were shot, and two were struck in the head with a hammer.

“What should have been the safety and security of our own home became a terrifying and life-threatening experience,” Morton said in a statement released Friday.

“While we are focused on recovery and supporting one another as a family, we are also deeply concerned about the increasing violence associated with home invasions and the safety of families throughout Toronto,” he added.

Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

You must be logged in to join the discussion.

Although they're on opposite sides of North America, some clocks in Florida and B.C. are synched for the next six months

The EY report said legal cigarette sales have fallen 46 per cent in Ontario since 2019 and 59 per cent in B.C.