Eight Arrested in Toronto Homicide of Anthony Taylor; Family Seeks Justice

Toronto police have arrested eight men in connection with the homicide of 28-year-old Anthony Taylor, who was fatally shot on May 31 at an Etobicoke apartment building. The suspects, ranging in age from 23 to 35, face charges of second-degree murder.

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There’s no apology that can be made to make this right or to bring Anthony back to us. He’s gone forever and he’s not coming back.

"There’s no apology that can be made to make this right or to bring Anthony back to us. He’s gone forever and he’s not coming back," said Anthony’s aunt, Richelle Taylor, expressing the family's profound grief and struggle to comprehend the events. Police stated the incident was not random but did not disclose the relationship between the victim and the initial suspect arrested.

Anthony Taylor was reportedly at the building to help a friend move. According to his aunt, an altercation occurred in the lobby or on the floor where the move was taking place, involving a group of individuals. "Ultimately no conflict resolution on their end and he was shot," Richelle explained. His uncle, Troy Taylor, added, "We still don’t know why and even if we did know it’s not going to be a good enough reason for them to do what they did."

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They need to make sure that they pay for it and they deserve whatever max sentencing and to know every day that they took a loved one from us. They’ve ruined so many families, including their own.

The family wants the public to remember Anthony as more than just the city's 12th homicide victim of the year. Troy described him as "the brightest in the room," known for his loud laugh and bright smile, someone who aspired to make his family proud. Anthony was passionate about sports, particularly basketball and football, and cherished being an older brother to his three younger brothers and one sister.

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We still don’t know why and even if we did know it’s not going to be a good enough reason for them to do what they did.

He worked as a counselor at the Malvern Family Resource Centre, supporting youth, and had a love for cooking, planning to study culinary arts. His family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with financial support following his death.

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He was the brightest in the room. So he’d always laugh the loudest, he would smile the brightest… I think he was definitely someone who wanted to be someone to be proud of, and I would tell him all the time, and I hope he knows I am and we are forever proud of him.