Suspect arrested in downtown Toronto murder identified as British soldier

Police are shown at the scene of an assault near King and Portland streets on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. The victim later died. (Mike Nguyen/ CP24)

The British army says one of its soldiers has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in Toronto.

Toronto police said earlier this week that they charged Craig Gibson, of the United Kingdom, with second-degree murder in the death of a 38-year-old man in downtown Toronto.

In response to questions about the suspect, a British army spokesman confirmed that a British solider was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in Toronto.

Toronto police say they responded to calls of an assault a little before 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 in the Portland Street and King Street West area and performed life-saving measures on a man who had been assaulted.

They say the victim, identified as Brett Sheffield of Manitoba, died in hospital the next day.

Brett Sheffield, 38, was killed in an assault in downtown Toronto in Aug. 2023. (Toronto Police Service)

Brett Sheffield.The British army spokesperson would not comment further, citing the investigation by Canadian authorities.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2023.