Ghanaian Teenager is Toronto's fourth homicide victim of 09

Toronto has recorded its fourth homicide of 2009 — and the victim refused to co-operate with police even as he lay dying.

Police found Kevin Boateng, 18, with a single stab wound to his stomach on Davenport Road at 11:04 p.m. on Friday. The location is just south of where St. Clair Avenue and Old Weston Road intersect. Sources told CTV News Toronto that Boateng was very well-known to police with respects to investigation of crimes involving drugs and gun violence. By the time Emmanuel Boateng arrived at St. Michael’s Hospital early this morning, his only son, 18-year-old Kevin Boateng, had already succumbed to his injuries. Though Boateng was conscious and breathing as he was being transported to hospital, he was “unresponsive” as police tried to get information about the young man’s killer.


His father described the Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School student as a “good kid,” despite run-ins with the law that investigators say made the teen well known to police. “He was a lovely kid,” Boateng’s uncle Philip Sarkodie-Addo said. “Regardless of the reckless behaviour, he was a helpful guy.”

Police and forensic teams combing the scene where Boateng was found are still not sure where exactly the stabbing occurred and have no suspects. Paramedics took him to St. Michael’s hospital downtown, where he died. Sgt. Dan Boucher of the Toronto Police Service told reporters at the scene that Boateng was conscious and breathing at this time. “We haven’t been able to ascertain a crime scene yet where the stabbing was done,” he said. “The only scene we have right now is where we located the victim.” Forensics and homicide investigators have begun their work, he said. They sealed off the area and began the search for witnesses.


A companion of the homicide victim is being questioned, but he isn’t considered a suspect. People in the neighbourhood say at night, the area becomes infested with drug dealers and their clients, making it a scary place. If there was a drug link in this killing, those interviewed by CTV Toronto say they wouldn’t be surprised. “Every night. Every night. They’re all … hookers and drug dealers,” Richard Cleveland said. Fellow resident Jeff Chevalier said he didn’t know if Friday night’s killing was related to drugs, “but it would not surprise me.” Police have not speculated about a motive.