Once Canada’s most wanted fugitive, Ontario man found guilty of manslaughter

Ontario Man Once Canada’s Most Wanted Fugitive Found Guilty of Manslaughter in 2021 Shooting

A VerdictDelivered After Years of Legal Proceedings

On Thursday morning, Justice Michael Brown delivered a long-awaited verdict in a downtown Toronto courtroom, finding Abilaziz Mohamed guilty of manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of Craig MacDonald. Mohamed, who was once named Canada’s most wanted fugitive, had pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder but guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. However, the Crown rejected this plea and proceeded with the trial for second-degree murder, arguing that Mohamed had the intent to kill MacDonald. In his ruling, Justice Brown stated that while Mohamed had indeed shot and killed MacDonald, he did not act with the specific intent required for murder. Instead, the judge concluded that Mohamed’s actions were impulsive and driven by provocation, alcohol, and a heated altercation.

Brown emphasized that Mohamed acted instinctively during the confrontation, disinhibited by alcohol, and without forming the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm. This distinction was critical in reducing the charge from murder to manslaughter. The shooting occurred on October 13, 2021, outside a Boston Pizza in Scarborough, where both men were involved in an altercation on the patio and in the parking lot. Mohamed shot MacDonald, a 43-year-old father, in the chest with a .32-calibre semi-automatic handgun. MacDonald was rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was a penetrating gunshot wound to the torso.

The Fugitive’s Arrest and Trial Revelations

Mohamed never surrendered to police after the shooting and evaded capture for months. He was eventually arrested in April 2022 while receiving treatment for diabetes at an Ajax hospital. His arrest came after his photo was widely circulated by the media following his designation as Canada’s most wanted fugitive by the BOLO program. During his trial in November 2024, Mohamed testified that he had no intention of killing MacDonald. He described the events of that night as chaotic and alcohol-fueled, stating that he had been attacked from behind as he left the restaurant.

Mohamed recounted how his head hit the ground, and he felt punches to his forehead. Disoriented and intoxicated, he claimed to have heard yelling but could not make out the words. He testified that a friend informed him that the individuals involved were the same ones they had encountered at another bar, Danny’s, a month earlier. Mohamed admitted to noticing his broken chain, returning to his car to store it, and then approaching the restaurant manager in the parking lot. Despite his friend urging him to leave, Mohamed engaged with a woman who had also been present at Danny’s, continuing the altercation.

When questioned by his lawyer, Tyler Smith, about why he continued to provoke the situation, Mohamed admitted, “Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking clearly. I just wasn’t myself that night.” He then described seeing MacDonald, whom he recognized from Danny’s, running toward him with his hands in the air, yelling. In a split second, Mohamed reached into his pocket, retrieved his firearm, and fired two shots. MacDonald was struck in the chest and staggered backward before collapsing. Mohamed and his friend fled the scene, and Mohamed reportedly passed out in the car, waking up the next morning with the firearm still in his possession.

Cross-Examination Reveals Contradictions and Motivations

During cross-examination, Assistant Crown Attorney Sean Hickey questioned Mohamed about his actions and contradictions in his testimony. Mohamed admitted to purchasing the firearm for protection after being robbed outside Danny’s in 2021. However, at the time of the shooting, he was bound by a court order prohibiting him from possessing a firearm. Hickey challenged Mohamed’s claim of being heavily intoxicated, suggesting that he had not been carrying the gun during the initial fight but instead retrieved it from his car after putting away his broken chain. Mohamed denied this, insisting he had the firearm on him the entire time.

Hickey also accused Mohamed of deliberately pointing the gun at MacDonald, racking it, and pulling the trigger twice, directly aiming at him. Mohamed vehemently denied these allegations, maintaining that he had reacted impulsively out of fear and confusion. He acknowledged that he had no intention of calling the police that night, even after being assaulted, and instead planned to inform the restaurant manager so they could contact authorities. Justice Brown ultimately accepted Mohamed’s account of losing control, stating that his actions, while culpable, did not meet the threshold for murder.

A Life Lost and a Community Left to Grieve

Craig MacDonald, the victim, was a 43-year-old father whose life was tragically cut short by the shooting. His death has left his family and loved ones to grapple with the aftermath of this senseless violence. The case has also raised questions about the broader societal issues at play, including the role of alcohol in impulsive behavior and the proliferation of firearms in communities. While justice has been served in the form of Mohamed’s conviction, it offers little comfort to those who have lost a loved one.

As the community continues to mourn the loss of Craig MacDonald, the case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of addressing its root causes. The legal system has held Mohamed accountable, but the emotional and psychological scars left on MacDonald’s family and friends will take far longer to heal.

A Maximum Sentence of Life Imprisonment Awaits

Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and the gravity of this conviction is not lost on Mohamed. While the charge is less severe than the second-degree murder charge he initially faced, the consequences are still profound. The legal system must now determine the appropriate punishment for his actions, balancing the severity of the crime with the mitigating factors outlined in the trial.

Both the Crown and the defense will present their arguments during a sentencing hearing scheduled for March 5. The outcome will depend on a variety of factors, including Mohamed’s prior criminal history, his level of remorse, and the impact of his actions on the victim’s family and the wider community. As the legal process unfolds, the case will continue to attract attention, not only for its notoriety but also for the broader discussions it sparks about justice, accountability, and the complexities of human behavior.

Final Thoughts: Reflections on Justice and Accountability

The conviction of Abilaziz Mohamed for manslaughter in the death of Craig MacDonald brings a measure of closure to a tragic chapter in Toronto’s history. However, it also underscores the complexity of cases where intent, provocation, and circumstance intersect. The trial highlighted the challenges of proving intent in homicide cases, as well as the nuances of human behavior under stress and intoxication.

As Mohamed prepares to face sentencing, this case serves as a reminder of the human cost of violence and the importance of addressing systemic issues that contribute to such tragedies. For the family of Craig MacDonald, justice may never fully restore what has been lost, but it is a step toward healing and closure. For Mohamed, the road ahead will be one of reckoning and reflection, as he confronts the consequences of his actions. In the end, this case is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring need for accountability in the pursuit of justice.