Hamilton police make 2nd arrest in city’s latest murder

UPDATE

Hamilton police have made a second arrest in connection with the death of 17-year-old Joshua Leo.

Twenty-seven-year-old Tae Park turned himself into police around 5 p.m. Sunday. Park, who also goes by Dan Park, appeared in a Hamilton courtroom Monday.

Leo’s family and friends filled the courtroom with many sobbing uncontrollably at the sight of the accused.

so much raw emotion today in the courtroom. Some of Joshua Leo’s family had to be held back as the accused came out. One young man standing behind me was sobbing uncontrollably. @CHCHNews

— Kelly Botelho (@botelhok) December 10, 2018

Park is charged with manslaughter and assault with a weapon. Park’s co-accused Dawson Farr, 18, is facing similar charges after he turned himself into police around 11 p.m. Saturday. Police say Farr confessed to being responsible for Leo’s death.

Leo was fatally stabbed in the chest Friday after an altercation erupted between four men during an alleged drug deal.

Police say Leo and an 18-year-old friend were waiting to meet Farr inside a vehicle outside of a home on Pinewarbler Dr.

Farr showed up with another man and the pair got inside the Leo’s car. It’s not clear what led to the fight but police say all four males exited the vehicle and Leo and his friend were stabbed. It’s alleged the other two men were seen fleeing on foot to an awaiting sedan being driven by a third person.

A friend of the teens showed up and tried to drive the pair to a hospital but soon realized the seriousness of Leo’s injuries. Police say he stopped the vehicle and pulled Leo out of the car.

An off-duty firefighter who was driving behind the teens tried to help save the boy’s life. An ex-military paramedic who was walking home from shopping at nearby Lime Ridge mall also attempted to provide assistance.

Both teens were taken to hospital where Leo was later pronounced dead. The 18-year-old man was treated and released.

Police executed a search warrant at a home on Hamilton Mountain on Saturday. Officers seized a vehicle that was believed to be the ‘get-away’ car the suspects fled in. Investigators say the driver of the vehicle was identified but will not face any charges.

Hamilton police Det. Sgt. Peter Thom says two knives have been recovered. He says Park and Farr were not known to police prior to this incident. Thom says the accused live together and work at a local restaurant.

This the city’s ninth homicide of 2018.

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