Father of former child actor killed in Danforth hit-and-run says his son ‘was an amazing young man’
The father of a former child actor killed in a weekend hit-and-run on Danforth Avenue says his son “was an amazing young man with his whole life ahead of him.”
Gabriel del Castillo Mullally, 25, was struck by a vehicle near Danforth and Woodbine Avenues at around 4 a.m. on Sunday in an incident that police are now investigating as a homicide.
Guy Mullally, Gabriel's father, told CTV News Toronto in an emailed statement that there aren't any words to describe the family's pain and grief at this time, adding, it's "a nightmare existence that will never end."
"He was very bright, he was musically talented, he was generous and kind and hugely protective of those he loved. He was in second year at Toronto Metropolitan University where he was studying business law, he hoped to one day go to law school,” Mullally said.
"All that he was and all that he will ever be vanished in the blink of an eye, and somewhere out there, there is a frightened young man who must now live with this terrible thing that he has done for the rest of his life.”
Gabriel del Castillo Mullally (second left) is seen in this image on Sept. 13, 2011. The former child actor was killed in a hit-and-run in Toronto on Feb. 05, 2023. (Getty Images / Toronto police)
In an emailed statement sent to CTV News Toronto earlier today, filmmakers Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas said Mullally starred in their 2011 movie ‘Amy George’ which premiered at TIFF.
According to his IMDb profile, Mullally also acted in the 2013 film ‘Tati.’
“We’re shocked and devastated by Gabriel's tragic death. Out of respect for the family, we’d prefer to not say anything at this time,” Lewis and Thomas said.
Actor Gabriel del Castillo Mullally of "Amy George" poses during the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival at the Guess Portrait Studio on September 13, 2011 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage)
Toronto police have previously said that Mullally was at a bar in the area prior to the hit-and-run.
He was walking along a sidewalk when he was struck by a vehicle driven by the suspect.
Mullally was taken to St. Michael’s Hospital at about 4:30 a.m. with life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead there a short time later.
Witness Natasha Bilak told CP24 that she heard yelling outside of her nearby residence just before a pedestrian was struck.
She said, at that time, there was an altercation between a group of young adults and a man who she believes is in his late 20s or early 30s.
“There was a dispute which ended up with the man getting into his car and deliberately driving [his vehicle] into the crowd of young adults. They were able to get out of the way,” Bilak said, adding the driver then made a U-turn on Danforth Avenue and drove towards the group a second time.
“He had seen a gap and basically hopped up on the curb [in his vehicle] and hit the one man. I’ve never witnessed something like that before. It’s definitely really scary.”
Toronto police are appealing to witnesses or anyone with video of the incident or area to come forward.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.