Police Explain Why Suspect in Brutal $2.1 Million Mansion Home Invasion Was Allowed to Walk Out of Hospital

Toronto police are facing intense questions after a man suspected of taking part in a violent home invasion at a millionaire CEO’s mansion was questioned at a hospital over a gunshot wound, then allowed to leave before investigators had enough evidence to arrest him.

The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Daijohn Richards, is now the subject of a Canada-wide arrest warrant in connection with the attack on real estate executive David Morton and his family.

The terrifying incident unfolded in the early hours of October 29, when three masked men allegedly forced their way into the family’s luxury home in Toronto’s exclusive Bridle Path neighborhood.

The intruders were reportedly armed with handguns and a hammer. They entered the five-bedroom property at around 3:40 a.m., while Morton, his 64-year-old wife Doriana and their two adult daughters, Maggie and Cristina, were asleep.

According to police, the attackers demanded valuables before a violent confrontation erupted.

Morton and both daughters suffered gunshot wounds. The family also said that all four members had been attacked with a hammer. Two family members reportedly sustained life-altering injuries.

The attackers eventually fled in a dark-colored SUV, leaving the family seriously injured and in need of emergency medical treatment.

Investigators believe Richards was accidentally shot in the shoulder by one of his alleged accomplices during the struggle.

Shortly after the attack, he reportedly sought treatment at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto. Hospital staff notified police after he arrived with a gunshot wound, as required under Ontario’s reporting rules.

Officers attended the hospital and questioned Richards. However, despite recognizing a possible connection to the home invasion, they did not have sufficient evidence to establish legal grounds for his arrest.

Richards was subsequently discharged.

By the time investigators gathered additional evidence linking him to the crime through forensic work and neighborhood inquiries, he had already left the hospital.

The decision prompted questions about why officers had allowed a potential suspect in such a violent attack to walk free.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw defended the investigation, insisting that officers had followed the available evidence and that there had been no failure in their response.

Police explained that identifying someone as a possible suspect is not the same as having sufficient grounds to arrest them.

“Suspicion alone isn’t enough,” the department said, emphasizing that arrests must be supported by evidence meeting the legal threshold.

Authorities have since identified Richards as one of the three suspects and issued a Canada-wide warrant. He faces multiple charges, including robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault, discharging a firearm with intent to wound, break and enter, and weapons-related offenses.

Police have warned that Richards should be considered armed and dangerous. The other two alleged attackers have not yet been publicly identified.

David Morton, chief executive of the MAC Group, later described the ordeal as a deeply traumatic experience for his family.

“What should have been the safety and security of our own home became a terrifying and life-threatening experience,” he said.

He added that no family should have to fear armed intruders breaking into their home while they sleep.

The case has sparked wider debate over how police can respond when a potential suspect arrives at a hospital with an injury that may connect them to a serious crime, but investigators have not yet assembled enough evidence to make an arrest.

For the Morton family, the priority remains recovery. For investigators, the search continues for Richards and the two other men allegedly involved in the attack.

Source: DAILYMAIL