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
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Nigeria's fashion and dancing styles in the spotlight as Harry, Meghan visit its largest city
Nigeria's fashion and traditional dances were at full display on Sunday as Prince Harry and Meghan arrived in its largest city, Lagos, as part of their three-day visit to the country to promote mental health for soldiers and empower young people.
Montreal man facing charges following contraband drone drop at Millhaven: OPP
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says a 40-year-old man from Montreal is facing charges following a suspected drone drop of unauthorized items at the Millhaven Institution.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.