Toronto police say a man found dead in his Cabbagetown apartment on Tuesday night suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
Investigators believe robbery may be a motive in the killing of 29-year-old Tito Benjamin, whose was nicknamed "Stretch" because of his 6-foot-5 frame.
Firefighters responding to a medical call discovered his lifeless body inside the building at 582 Parliament St., near Wellesley Avenue, at about 8 p.m.
Benjamin lived on the second floor, above a variety store. He had rented the apartment for two years and lived alone, police said.
Homicide Det. Stacy Gallant said he believes Benjamin was killed by somebody he knew as there were no signs of forced entry.
"We do have some direction in the case," Gallant told reporters on Wednesday. "We're pursuing the leads that we currently have as to the motive," including robbery.
Police say Benjamin suffered severe head trauma, and an autopsy scheduled for Thursday is expected to confirm he died from a bullet.
Police said no one reported hearing gunshots, so investigators don't yet know what time the trigger was pulled.
Officers have seized surveillance video and are canvassing the area for evidence.
Detectives are trying to track Benjamin's whereabouts in the 24 hours prior to his death and are probing other details of his life, including what he did for a living.
Benjamin is the city's 13th homicide of 2007.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or online at www.222tips.com.
