Toronto police have released a composite drawing of a "person of interest" wanted in connection with the brutal stabbing and beating death of 17-year-old Omar Wellington last summer.

Police have also released photographs of a large flick-knife that has been "forensically linked" to the grisly killing.

In what is proving to be a growing trend among police forces, Toronto investigators have posted the images on the popular video-sharing website YouTube.com.

Wellington was beaten, stabbed several times and left to die in Flemingdon Park on July 14 after several people forced him to strip to his underwear.

An autopsy concluded he died from "a multitude of stab wounds to the neck."

Wellington's body was found in a wooded area of the park the next night by passersby. The victim lived nearby.

Several residents in the Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East area housing complexes said they witnessed the attack, but didn't report it to police. Investigators believe witnesses feared retaliation from the suspects.

Shortly after, officers fanned the neighbourhood, handing out flyers of the victim.

Police on Wednesday said new information led them to create the composite sketch.

The person of interest is known to have roots in the Flemingdon Park area and previously lived or currently lives in the neighbourhood.

He is described as about 18 years old, black with a light complexion, between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-7 and between 140 and 150 pounds.

Officers from 54 Division, the Homicide Squad and Crime Stoppers will be in the Flemingdon Park area today between 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. to receive any new information.

Anyone who has information in the case is asked to contact Det. Scott Spratt at 416-808-7407, Det. Sgt. Dean Burks at 416-808-7382 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be left online at www.222tips.com.