Police charge Toronto man with first-degree murder in Scarborough parking lot shooting
A suspect has been charged with first-degree murder following a shooting in a Scarborough underground parking garage.
Police were called to the area of Sheppard Avenue East and Birchmount Road just before 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 30 for reports of a shooting.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
When officers arrived, they located a man suffering from a gunshot wound, police said. Despite life-saving efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
He has since been identified as 34-year-old Gars-Ara Kourjakian. He is the city’s 70th homicide victim of 2022.
Gars-Ara Kourjakian is seen in this undated image. (Supplied)
Friends of the family told CTV News Toronto that Kourjakian’s daughter was present at the time of the shooting and that he was taking off her winter boots before he was shot.
On Friday, police announced that Devret Clarke, 37, of Toronto, has been charged with-first degree murder in connection with the shooting.
Clarke is scheduled to appear in court in a Toronto courtroom on Friday.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact them at 416-808-7400 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.
Devret Clarke, 37, of Toronto, is seen in this court sketch on Jan. 13, 2023. (CTV News Toronto/John Mantha)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
BREAKING
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
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.
'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.
'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).
'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.
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.
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.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Montreal
-
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
-
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
-
Parks Canada trashes pilot project, reinstalls garbage cans along Lachine Canal
Parks Canada said on Thursday that it was ending its pilot project and reinstalling garbage cans along the Lachine Canal Historic Site.
Ottawa
-
'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).
-
Flood watch in effect along areas of Ottawa River until May 3
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has issued a flood watch for the Pembroke, Ont. area.
-
Ottawa police concerned for well-being of missing woman
The Ottawa Police Service is asking the public for help locating a missing woman, citing concern for her well-being.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. hunters fined $8,500 for illegal moose hunt
Two hunters from North Bay, Ont., and a third from Temagami pled guilty recently to offences they committed during a 2022 moose hunt.
-
Fire victims in Timmins say thieves have stolen their personal belongings
A month after an accidental fire forced more than 100 people out of their apartments at the Empire Complex in Timmins, residents are now dealing with being victims of theft.
-
'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).
Kitchener
-
Driver hits woman pushing 3-month-old baby in stroller
An elderly Guelph driver has been charged after hitting a woman pushing a stroller.
-
Toyota to buy naming rights for Cambridge soccer fieldhouse
A proposed sponsorship deal will see the fieldhouse at Cambridge’s new soccer complex named Toyota Fieldhouse if city council approves the agreement at Tuesday’s meeting.
-
Kitchener man who killed wife, blew up home may be granted travel passes
Udo Haan, the Kitchener man who killed his wife and blew up their home in 2018, could receive travel passes to be in the community.
London
-
'There may be additional victims': Sarnia police lay human trafficking charges
Back in March, Sarnia police started an investigation into the man who they said was trafficking, procuring and coercing a female victim to provide sexual services that he was financialy benefiting from.
-
'Total loss' garage fire in south London
A garage in south London is being described as a “total loss,” after a fire Thursday night. Crews were called to the scene at 129 Base Line Road west around 111:05 p.m. where they found heavy smoke and flames when they arrived.
-
Vehicle passengers taken to hospital after Oxford County crash
An unknown number of people have been taken to hospital following a crash in Oxford County. OPP are on scene of the two-vehicle crash at 37th Line and Road 74 in Zorra.
Windsor
-
Windsor police seize $120,000 in drugs
Windsor police have arrested two people after seizing $120,000 in illegal drugs.
-
Former high school teacher facing another trial
A former high school teacher who just finished one trial is now facing another.
-
Two people arrested in $21,000 fraud investigation
Chatham-Kent police have arrested two people after a fraud investigation that was launched on Jan. 5.
Barrie
-
Pedestrian struck by CP train in Alliston
A man is in serious condition after being struck by a train near Alliston.
-
Police warn of caller ID phone scams
Faking a caller identity has never been so easy.
-
Wasaga Beach welcomes new family doctor
New doctor will expand services at the Georgian Bay Family Health Team.
Winnipeg
-
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.
-
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.
-
'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).
Atlantic
-
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.
-
Price of gas increases in Nova Scotia, P.E.I.
Maritime motorists are paying more for gas in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, but less in New Brunswick.
-
N.S. residents arrested at New Brunswick border with multiple weapons
Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers arrested two Nova Scotia residents at the New Brunswick border after they seized multiple prohibited firearms.
N.L.
-
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.
-
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.
-
Rideshare platform Uber expands to Newfoundland and Labrador
Uber Technologies Inc. says it has brought its ridesharing platform to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Edmonton
-
Skinner has confidence of his coach, but playoff goaltending a concern for Oilers
Skinner has confidence of his coach, but playoff goaltending a concern for Oilers
-
Crash affecting Highway 28 traffic north of Edmonton
A two-vehicle crash is affecting Highway 28 traffic in Sturgeon County Friday morning.
-
Family of 6 escapes house fire in Hodgson
A family of six escaped their burning house in southwest Edmonton early Friday morning.
Calgary
-
POW! cosplay parade returns to Calgary, thousands expected to participate
Canada's largest cosplay parade is back in full force, returning to city for the 10th time on Friday.
-
Missing Calgary woman last seen in Falconridge: police
Calgary police are asking the public for help finding a missing woman last seen in Falconridge.
-
'So crazy': Nenshi critical of Alberta bill giving extra powers over municipalities
Former Calgary mayor and current NDP leadership candidate Naheed Nenshi says the Alberta government is operating out of spite with new legislation that would grant it sweeping powers over municipalities, including the right to fire councillors, overturn bylaws and postpone elections.
Regina
-
Inquest for Regina teen found unresponsive in Pilot Butte Creek in 2015 to be held in May
A public inquest into the death of a Saskatchewan teenager who was found unresponsive in a creek east of Regina in 2015 will take place in May.
-
Sask. RCMP make 2 arrests in connection to Oxbow area homicide
RCMP have made two arrests in connection to a homicide investigation in southeast Saskatchewan.
-
Sask. expands student mental health program to 5 more schools
Aimed to provide students with more support for their mental health and well being, the “Mental Health Capacity Building” (MHCB) program provides more counselling staff in schools that hope to identify and intervene mental health issues students may be facing soon than later.
Saskatoon
-
Council votes for bike safety improvements at corner where cyclist was killed
Saskatoon city council is making road safety improvements following the death of a cyclist at a busy intersection last year.
-
Crown argues for life sentence for Sask. Mountie who shot and killed his lover
A Crown prosecutor says the former RCMP officer who shot and killed his lover should be sentenced to life in prison.
-
'Difficult to maintain': Private Sask. school embroiled in abuse allegations may soon close
A private Christian school at the centre of a civil lawsuit and several criminal cases might soon be taken over by an affiliated group, according to a letter obtained by CTV News.
Vancouver
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
-
Infertility Awareness Week: How B.C.'s proposed IVF funding is delaying some treatments
It’s National Infertility Awareness week, which brings attention to a medical condition that impacts one-in-six adults in B.C.
-
Gas prices in Metro Vancouver rise again overnight
Gas prices rose again overnight across Metro Vancouver, wrapping up a week of wild swings in the cost to fuel up.
Vancouver Island
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
-
Opposition BC United seeks to prevent convicted dangerous offenders from name changes
British Columbia's Opposition leader says community safety should come before protection of privacy rights for dangerous people.
-
'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.
