“They responded to the hospital as they would when people walk into the hospital with a gunshot wound, which happens in the city from time to time, and they advanced the investigation with the speed and flow that was available to them,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said on Monday regarding a violent home invasion in the Bridle Path neighbourhood. Officers responded to a residence on Hyde Park Circle, near Bayview and Lawrence avenues, just before 4 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, after three masked suspects armed with handguns and a hammer forced entry into the home.
The Bridle Path Home Invasion and Family Injuries
The suspects encountered the homeowners—identified by CP24 and CBC as 75-year-old David Morton, CEO of MAC Group, and his 64-year-old wife, Doriana Zohil-Morton—along with their adult daughters, aged 26 and 28. Morton and his two daughters sustained gunshot wounds during the ensuing struggle, while Morton and his wife were also struck with a hammer. All four victims were rushed to hospital with life-altering injuries, though Toronto police announced on Saturday that some of the family members had been discharged.
Following the attack, Morton released a statement describing the incident as a terrifying and life-threatening experience in the one place where a family should feel safest. The neighbourhood is known for its multi-million dollar properties, with musician Drake’s residence located just 700 metres away from the targeted home.
We want to address some confusion surrounding the investigation into the home invasion in the Bridle Path neighbourhood.Investigators immediately recognized the potential connection between the home invasion and the individual who showed up at hospital with a gunshot wound.…
Did You Know? The home invasion on Hyde Park Circle is among 119 home invasions reported to Toronto police so far this year, marking an increase compared with the same period last year.
Investigation and the Search for Daijohn Richards
Investigators subsequently identified 23-year-old Toronto resident Daijohn Richards as a suspect, issuing a Canada-wide arrest warrant for charges including four counts of discharging a firearm with intent to wound, four counts of robbery with a firearm, three counts of aggravated assault, and break and enter. Police believe Richards was accidentally shot in the right shoulder by one of his accomplices during the break-in. He walked into St. Joseph’s Health Centre shortly after the incident, triggering a notification under Ontario’s Mandatory Gunshot Wounds Reporting Act.
Police officials stated that although officers immediately recognized a potential connection between the hospital patient and the home invasion, suspicion alone does not provide the legal threshold for an arrest. Investigators needed reasonable grounds supported by evidence, which they did not possess in the middle of the night. Insp. Kristy Smith urged Richards to contact a lawyer and turn himself in, noting that he may be favouring his right side due to the shoulder injury and that all three outstanding suspects are considered armed and dangerous.
Expert Insight: The timeline surrounding Richards’ hospital visit highlights the strict evidentiary thresholds required for criminal arrests in Canada. While mandatory reporting laws successfully flag gunshot wounds to law enforcement, bridging the gap between hospital admission and probable cause often requires forensic confirmation or witness identification that cannot be rushed without risking the integrity of a prosecution.
Surveillance Challenges and Next Steps in the Manhunt
Chief Demkiw declined to state whether police placed Richards under surveillance after his discharge from the hospital, citing the need to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation. Commenting generally on police procedures, CP24 crime analyst Steve Ryan explained that plainclothes officers sometimes monitor suspects when evidence falls short of an immediate arrest, though maintaining continuous 24-hour surveillance presents significant logistical challenges and risks losing a subject.
Authorities have assigned specialized teams and experienced investigators to track down the remaining suspects who fled in a dark-coloured SUV. Residents in the affluent enclave can expect an increased police presence as the Hold Up Squad and 33 Division continue appealing to the public for tips.
Why Police Failed to Arrest Daijohn Richards at Hospital
What charges does Daijohn Richards face?
Daijohn Richards is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for four counts of discharging a firearm with intent to wound, four counts of robbery with a firearm, three counts of aggravated assault, break and enter, possessing a prohibited device, and disguise with intent.
Amid criticism, Toronto police say they couldn’t arrest Bridle Path suspect at the hospital https://t.co/bvttTgGn5p pic.twitter.com/PysL8Ba9PS
Why was Richards not arrested when he visited the hospital?
Although Toronto police were notified of his gunshot wound under Ontario’s Mandatory Gunshot Wounds Reporting Act, investigators at the time lacked sufficient evidence and reasonable grounds to connect him to the Bridle Path home invasion before he was discharged.
How many home invasions have occurred in Toronto in 2026?
Toronto police statistics show that 119 home invasions have been reported in the city in 2026, representing an increase of more than 30 per cent compared to the same period last year.
What measures do you think local communities can implement to address the rising rate of residential break-ins across the city?
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