Joseph Eric Aubin, 62, died a week after being assaulted with a hammer as he slept on a park bench
Toronto Deputy Chief Robert Johnson addresses media Oct. 15.
A 20-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a 62-year-old unhoused man, Joseph Eric Aubin, in a case that police describe as part of a “disturbing crime spree” targeting vulnerable people in downtown Toronto .
On Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, Toronto Police announced the arrests of Isaiah Byers, 20, of Toronto, and a 12-year-old male youth who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).
Both suspects face multiple charges, including second-degree murder, robbery, assault with a weapon, and aggravated assault.
The homicide investigation began after an attack on Sunday, August 31, at approximately 6:08 a.m.
The victim, Mr. Aubin, was sleeping on a bench in the Queen Street West and Bay Street area, near Nathan Phillips Square, when he was approached by two suspects and violently attacked with a weapon, which police later confirmed was a hammer. The suspects fled the scene afterward.
Aubin sought treatment at a hospital for serious injuries and was released.
On Sept. 4, he was found outdoors without vital signs. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police revealed that the homicide was one of several violent incidents allegedly perpetrated by the two accused on the same morning .
Between approximately 5:45 a.m. and 8:07 a.m. on August 31, the pair are alleged to have been involved in a series of attacks spanning from the Yonge and Dundas area to the Yonge and College area.
Detective Sergeant Stacey McCabe stated that “all of these attacks were extremely violent and they targeted vulnerable members of our city,” with most victims being under-housed males.
The crime spree included:
Two separate violent assaults on other unhoused men in the Yonge and Dundas area, both of whom required hospital treatment
Robberies where the suspects asked to use victims’ phones, then stole them and assaulted the owners when they resisted
The two accused were arrested shortly after the final alleged incident.
After exhaustive efforts, Toronto Police have been unable to locate any next of kin for Joseph Eric Aubin, who went by “Eric” and is believed to be from Quebec.
