Toronto Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man they suspect of deliberately striking and killing another person this weekend with his vehicle before fleeing.

In addition, they are asking auto body shop owners to be on the lookout for a damaged 2005 Monte Carlo car that may have been involved in this incident.

The incident happened after 3 a.m. in the Terraview Learning Centre parking lot at 1641 Pharmacy Ave. Det. Frank Skubic of the Toronto Police homicide squad told a news conference on Monday.

"Upon arrival, emergency services discovered the body of a 25-year-old male lying on the pavement," he said.

The victim -- Nanthi Eashan Dharmaratnam -- was pronounced dead at the scene, with an autopsy finding later that he died of blunt head and torso injuries, he said.

The two men had known each other. The victim arrived first, then "they had an interaction," he said.

Information that came forward during the investigation had police believing that Dharmaratnam had been deliberately struck, leading to the involvement of the homicide squad.

More investigation led to the identification of the suspect and vehicle.

Police have obtained a warrant for the arrest of Seran Kasilingham, a 28-year-old Toronto resident but of no fixed address, on a charge of second-degree murder, Skubic said.

Kasilingham is described as being brown-skinned, 5'11", 230 lbs. with a heavy build and a full, round face. "He is known on the street by the nickname of Kuttyshawn," the detective said.

His vehicle is described as a blue 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with Ontario licence plate BFCJ 906.

"There is information to suggest that Mr. Kasilingham has fled the jurisdiction and is still driving the Monte Carlo. There's some suggestion he might be making efforts to dispose of that vehicle," he said.

Kasilingham is known to have associates in Sault Ste. Marie, Ottawa and Montreal. Police in those areas have been asked to keep an eye out for him, he said, adding anyone who assists the suspect could face the risk of being charged with being an accessory after the fact to second-degree murder.

Skubic asked Kasilingham to contact a lawyer and surrender.

No allegations against Kasilingham have been proven in a court of law.

People with information are asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and a message to CRIMES (274637).