London man arrested, another sought for first-degree murder in Caledon homicide
CBC
Two London men are facing first-degree murder and attempted murder charges in connection with an ongoing investigation in Caledon, Ont., according to provincial police.
Police say the charges stem from the murder of 65-year-old Giovanni Costa in January 2021, and the twice attempted murder of Costa's son.
Elias Akhi, 32, of London, was charged on Tuesday with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder in the case.
Another London man, Waheed Barakziye, 48, faces the exact charges as Akhi, but remains at large, police say. Ontario-wide and Canada-wide warrants have been issued for his arrest.
Barakziye is known to frequent London and the Greater Toronto Area, and should not be approached, police said. Akhi was due in court in Orangeville on Wednesday, and is among four people who have been arrested in the case.
He was already in custody, serving a 14-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in January to charges he orchestrated a cross-border gun-smuggling operation, according to the London Free Press.
Akhi previously pleaded guilty in 2022 to a charge of robbery with violence in connection with a 2016 armed home invasion and kidnapping in London's south end.
In the Costa case, York Regional Police had responded to a shooting on Steeles Avenue West in Vaughan around 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 12, 2020, where reports said two unidentified individuals exited a white vehicle and shot a man. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment.
On Jan. 18, 2021, Caledon OPP responded to a shooting in the area of Harvest Moon Drive in Bolton around 12:30 p.m. Police said two individuals entered a residence donning medical-style masks and dark clothing, shot the two occupants, and fled in a black BMW.
Giovanni Costa, 65, of Bolton, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his son, who was also the victim of the November incident in Vaughan, was transported to the hospital.
A 20-year-old Scarborough man, Jordan Andall, was charged in January 2022 with being an accessory after the fact to murder. He received an 18-month conditional sentence earlier this year, according to the Caledon Enterprise.
There were no public updates in the case until Nov. 14, when provincial police announced charges against three men, including Barakziye, who was wanted on a province-wide warrant.
Christopher Brown, 28, of Barrie, was arrested on Nov. 11 and charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, discharging a firearm with intent, and possessing firearms contrary to a prohibition order.
The other suspect charged, Nehaniah Tirfe, 25, of Toronto, was arrested on Nov. 12 for first-degree murder and attempted murder.
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