Two suspects in the shooting death of an 11-year-old Toronto boy made a brief court appearance via video on Tuesday morning.
Gregory Sappleton, 21, and Akiel Eubank, 20, both face charges of first-degree murder in connection with the tragic death of Ephraim Brown at a birthday party last month.
Brown died after being caught in the crossfire of an alleged gang shootout outside a townhouse near Jane Street and Sheppard Avenue on July 22.
Eubank, an alleged gang member, and Sappleton have been in police custody since they were arrested shortly after the incident.
Toronto police allege Eubank was involved with the Five Point Generals gang in the Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue area.
Police also said Sappleton has a criminal record and was charged in the 2005 shooting of four-year-old bystander Shaquan Cadougan in the city's north end. Those charges were later withdrawn by prosecutors.
The 21-year-old suspect was on probation at the time of Brown's shooting and has a history of committing violent crimes, including offences with firearms, police said.
The two accused are also expected to conference into their next court date, on August 21, via video.
The Gun and Gang Task Force also apprehended a third suspect after the young boy's shooting.
Sheldon Gladstone Evans, 22, also an alleged member of the Five Point Generals, was arrested days after the incident and charged with failure to comply with recognizance.
