Cops Forced to Explain Why Home Invasion Suspect Walked Free From Hospital After Allegedly Terrorizing CEO and His Family in Their $2.1M Mansion

Toronto police have defended their decision not to arrest a man who turned up at a hospital with a gunshot wound just hours after a wealthy CEO and his family were terrorized inside their mansion, only to name him as a suspect after he had walked free.

The force has come under fierce criticism online after revealing that officers spoke with Daijohn Richards, 23, numerous times at St. Joseph’s Health Centre before he was discharged on Friday afternoon.

Daijohn Richards

Richards later turned up at a Toronto hospital with a gunshot wound to his shoulder, where officers questioned him but did not arrest him.

By Friday night, investigators had gathered enough evidence to link Richards to the brutal home invasion at the $2.1 million Toronto mansion of real estate executive David Morton, 75, but by that time, Richards had gone.

He is now wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant, raising questions as to why police allowed a potential suspect in such a violent attack to leave the hospital.

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Under Ontario law, hospitals must notify police when treating patients suffering gunshot wounds.

Officers attended the hospital and had what Smith described as ‘numerous interactions’ with Richards, but investigators had not yet established reasonable grounds for his arrest.

Detectives eventually made the connection through forensic work and inquiries in the neighborhood, with assistance from the Centre of Forensic Sciences.

Unfortunately for police, Richards was no longer at the hospital when that evidence came together.

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Three masked men carrying firearms and a hammer forced their way through the rear entrance of the family’s luxury home in the exclusive Bridle Path neighborhood at around 3:40am.

Morton, his 64-year-old wife Doriana Zohil-Morton, and their daughters Maggie and Cristina, aged 28 and 26, were asleep when the intruders entered their bedrooms and demanded valuables.

A violent struggle followed, with Morton and both daughters suffering gunshot wounds while two family members were also struck in the head with a hammer.

All four were rushed to hospital. Two have since been discharged, while the other two remain under medical care with injuries described as life-altering.

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

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Richards is wanted on multiple charges, including four counts each of discharging a firearm with intent to wound and robbery with a firearm, along with three counts of aggravated assault.

He also faces charges of breaking and entering, possessing a prohibited device and wearing a disguise with intent.

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