Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested in P.E.I. in connection with Toronto homicide
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Toronto’s east end last summer has been arrested in Charlottetown, just one week after he topped a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.
Michael Bebee, 35, was arrested without incident by Charlottetown police at a business on Belvedere Avenue at around 7:20 p.m. on Tuesday, a news release notes.
Bebee was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in connection with the shooting death of Shamar Powell-Flowers near Danforth and Carlaw avenues in the early morning hours of July 23, 2023.
Bebee’s arrest came exactly one week after he was listed as the most wanted fugitive on an updated list released by the BOLO (Be on the Lookout) program.
In a news release on Wednesday, Charlottetown Police Services (CPS) said that they were contacted by Toronto police investigators late last week asking for help with tips they’d received indicating that Bebee may have been in Prince Edward Island.
The authorities said that detectives from Toronto would be travelling to PEI to return Bebee to Ontario in “the coming days.”
“This arrest proves that collaboration between police services, media, the public, Crime Stoppers and organizations like BOLO makes our communities safer and stronger," Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said in a news release. "I want to thank Charlottetown Police Services for apprehending the suspect, BOLO and Crime Stoppers for working together to make our communities safer. We truly hope this arrest provides some comfort to the family and loved ones of Shamar Powell-Flowers."
Bebee is facing a charge of second-degree murder and appeared in court on May 1 in Charlottetown, police said.
In a statement shared by Toronto police, the mother of Powell-Flowers said that it’s difficult to describe the “flood of emotions” she felt when she received a call from Det. Sgt. Trevor Grieve informing her of the arrest in the case.
“An immense weight had been lifted,” Charmaine Flowers said. “I have so much gratitude. I am grateful to the Bolo Program for taking on our case, to the investigative team from the Toronto Police Homicide Unit for their tireless efforts toward justice and the respect and dignity they have shown our family since our paths crossed in the most unfortunate way, and to the members of the media who amplified this campaign.”
Michael Bebee, 35, of Toronto, was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for second-degree murder. He was arrested in P.E.I. on April 30. (TPS photo)
Toronto police said in the release that Bebee was arrested following a tip from the public, however it is not immediately clear whether a reward of up to $100,000 that was previously offered by the BOLO program will be paid out.
In her statement Charmaine Flowers expressed gratitude to the person who gave the police the information they needed to arrest Bebee. She thanked that individual for allowing her and her family to “take our next steps forward through this awful journey.”
“Please know that if my beautiful Shamar were alive and the tables were turned, he would not have hesitated to help your family in any way he could,” she said.
Shamar Powell-Flowers, left, with his mother Charmaine Flowers in this undated photo. (Supplied photo)
This is not the first time that Canada's top BOLO fugitive has been arrested shortly after the list was updated.
In 2022, Abilaziz Mohamed was arrested just hours after being named the most wanted person in the country. A $250,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest and hours later someone submitted an anonymous tip and Mohamed was arrested. He was wanted for first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Craig MacDonald in Scarborough.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.