Toronto pair wanted for murder arrested in Budapest after fleeing the country
Two suspects wanted in connection with a homicide and attempted murder in Hamilton in February have been arrested in Hungary, police announced on Monday.
On Monday, Hamilton Police Acting Detective Sergeant Jim Callender announced that Oliver Karafa, 28-years-old, and Yun (Lucy) Lu Li, 25-years-old, were arrested in Budapest by Hungarian police forces on Saturday.
“It's been one of those journeys that has taken a lot of strides and a lot of new information that has led to this and I would like to thank all the efforts from partners over there in Eastern Europe, specifically the Hungarian Active Search Team,” Callendar said.
Police issued arrest warrants for the couple three months ago in the murder of Tyler Pratt, 39, and the attempted murder of a woman.
On Feb. 28, police responded to a shooting in the area of Arvin Avenue and Hilton Drive shortly after 7 p.m.
Upon arrival, HPS says they found the 26-year-old woman with a gunshot wound on the side of the road. The woman was taken to hospital in serious condition. As officers were investigating, they discovered the body of Tyler Pratt.
The two victims knew each other, but police did not say how.
Within days of the shootings, Hamilton police announced that Karafa and Li had fled the country to Eastern Europe. Police say the couple likely fled the country within 24 hours of the incident.
Sgt. Callendar told the media Monday that HPS is “very comfortable with the motivation [of Karafa and Li], but won't be discussing that, as that would be evidence before the courts.”
Li and Karafa are being held in custody in Hungary and the extradition process is underway, Hamilton Police say.
The trials of the individuals will be held in Canada, according to Callendar.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.