Latest news with #PhillipCampbell
CTV News
12-07-2025
- CTV News
Body found near Hwy. 401 believed to be missing Toronto woman: police
Police give a brief update on a body found by Highway 401 near Pickering, which is believed to be a missing woman. A body found off Highway 401 near the Toronto-Pickering border early Friday morning is believed to be that of a woman who was reported missing earlier this week. Det. Sgt. Phillip Campbell, with Toronto police's homicide unit, said officers found the body near Highway 401 and Whites Road at 12:06 a.m. 'There was an investigation, and I don't want to divulge what, how we arrived at where we did, but it was through the investigation that we determined where this female was,' Campbell said. Police are not releasing the identity of the woman, who Campbell said was 67 years old. She is the city's 20th homicide victim of the year. The cause of death is unknown. 'This matter is now before the courts, and with the investigation still active, there are limits to what we can disclose. We also want to be mindful of the victim's family, who are grieving a profound loss,' Campbell said. Toronto police were initially notified about a missing woman in the area of Brimley Road and Omni Drive on Wednesday. 'Based on the circumstances, the case was quickly deemed suspicious,' Campbell said. The same day the woman was reported missing, police arrested a man and charged him with aggravated assault. Campbell did not say what prompted police to lay the charge. The detective confirmed that the man and the woman were in a common-law relationship. When asked if the man co-operated with the investigation, Campbell said he provided some information. Campbell added that police are not looking for other suspects.
CBC
12-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
First planes carrying wildfire evacuees from northwestern Ontario head to Toronto area
Social Sharing Phillip Campbell has been closely watching the skies to see which way the wind blows — and whether it will keep nearby wildfires at bay. The elder and head councillor of North Spirit Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario is among roughly 240 evacuees travelling south to escape Red Lake 62, an out-of-control blaze that's more than 26,000 hectares large. The first planes out of the remote Oji-Cree community landed in Thunder Bay Friday afternoon. From there, evacuees — consisting of some of the community's most vulnerable — will be flown to Toronto. Fewer than 500 people live in North Spirit Lake, located in Treaty 5 territory. As a passenger aboard the first plane, Campbell said he's worried about those left waiting for the next available aircraft. "If it's windy from there, the fire will go to North Spirit really fast and that's dangerous," Campbell said. "I don't know what's going to happen to them if it actually comes down to the wire." South of North Spirit Lake, one of the region's largest remote First Nations — Pikangikum — is preparing for its evacuation starting Saturday. About 2,000 evacuees from the Ojibway community in Treaty 5 have been identified, and are being sent to Toronto and Mississauga. Ben Curtis, inspector of operational support for the Ontario Provincial Police in the northwest region, spent Friday fielding calls from Pikangikum. "They are compiling lists in collaboration with our provincial liaison team that's on the ground, and that's really to focus on the Level 1 and Level 2 evacuations," Curtis said. "[They're] focusing on a little bit more of the vulnerable population that are in Pikangikum — those that are a little less mobile, those that have some kind of increased needs such as medical concerns and things like that." A much smaller community, MacDowell Lake, has also issued an evacuation alert and is urging members to leave. Fewer than 100 people live there. There are nearly 50 wildfires burning across the region at various stages of control. The largest, Red Lake 12, has reached more than 195,000 hectares, setting a record for most hectares burned in Ontario. "Ongoing drought conditions, low relative humidity, and a lack of precipitation through the northern fire management sectors have contributed to extreme fire behaviour and continued growth on active fires," fire information officer Alison Bezubiak told CBC News in an email Friday. "More precipitation is expected through the weekend, but we will have a better idea of how that rain will impact the wildland fire hazard and fire behaviour once it materializes." 'Everybody has to go' The office of Jill Dunlop, Ontario's minister of emergency preparedness and response, provided an emailed statement to CBC News on Friday about the government's support for evacuees. "Our government is working closely with local communities, First Nations leadership, and emergency partners to co-ordinate safe evacuations in North Spirit Lake First Nation and [assist] with the relocation of vulnerable residents from Pikangikum," it says. "We remain in close contact with our provincial and federal partners to make sure people receive the care, transportation, and support they need." Still, those in transit are feeling the weight of uncertainty at hand. "It's difficult when you travel from home," said Homer Meekis, a band councillor for North Spirit Lake, who arrived in Thunder Bay on Friday with his children and grandchildren. "Staying in a hotel with family members, it is going to be really crowded and stuff, and people are used to their own places." North Spirit Lake prepared for a community evacuation about a month ago, but at that time, the fire activity eased enough to allow people to stay, explained evacuee Edna Rae-Harper, who is Chief Brandon Rae's aunt. "I just wanted to stay home, but nobody can stay home because everybody has to go," she said. She was told at least six planes were expected to bring people to Thunder Bay Friday and Saturday. Meanwhile, Sandy Lake First Nation — which began to bring its 2,000 wildfire evacuees home last Friday — has had to pause a number of flights due to demands for aircraft in other fire-affected communities. Though five private flights out of Thunder Bay have been arranged by the Oji-Cree community for the weekend, as well as a small plane in Kapuskasing, all evacuee flights from Barrie and Peterborough have been put on hold, the First Nation said in an update on Facebook Friday. Ontario FireRangers 'among the best in the world' Air quality warnings and special air quality statements remain in effect in much of northwestern Ontario as the fire hazard ranges across the region. "Following widespread rain overnight and this morning, the wildland fire hazard is low to moderate across the majority of the northwest region except for the Red Lake and Nipigon fire management sectors," said Bezubiak. "A high hazard remains through the central and eastern portions of the Nipigon sector. In Red Lake, the hazard is high through the central and western portions of the sector, with an area of extreme hazard around Poplar Hill." Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says it's all hands on deck to keep communities safe. "Wildland fire management staff are working around the clock to protect these communities through aerial suppression, ground operations, and structural protection efforts," said Mary Votsis, a spokesperson for the department, in an emailed statement Friday.
Toronto Sun
09-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
Investigators 'working tirelessly' to catch 15-year-old boy's killer
Jahkai Jack was gunned down in an 'unprovoked act of violence' in the city's west end last month Jahkai Jack, 15, was gunned down at Buttonwood Charlton Settlement Aves. in the city's west end on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Photo by Handout / Toronto Police Investigators are urging witnesses to 'do the right thing' and help cops catch the shooter responsible for last month's 'unprovoked' killing of a teenage boy in the city's west end. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Toronto Police issued the plea during a news conference held at Buttonwood and Charlton Settlement Aves. – the residential neighbourhood near Weston Rd. and Jane St. where Jahkai Jack was shot to death just after 10 p.m. on June 7. 'This was a completely unprovoked act of violence against a 15-year-old boy,' Det.-Sgt. Phillip Campbell said Wednesday. He said Jahkai, who was not involved in 'gangs or any kind of criminality,' had his whole life ahead of him when his killer opened fire with upwards of 10 people in the vicinity. The boy was hit once in the chest. 'Tragically, he died from his injuries,' Campbell said, adding the victim's family has been shattered by his murder. Read More Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'So, to the person responsible, if you're watching this, you need to know that what you did devastated a family. And I'm asking you to do the right thing and turn yourself in to police,' the homicide investigator pleaded. 'To the people who were there that night and may have witnessed this, I'm asking you too to do the right thing and get a hold of us – help us find out what happened that night,' he added. Campbell also made a point of reminding members of the public that they can be charged with accessory after the fact to murder if they assist the killer in evading justice in any way. Supt. Richard Harris, of 12 Division, also spoke at the news conference explaining Jahkai's death is 'an unimaginable loss' for his family, friends, school community and neighbourhood. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'A 15-year-old boy was taken from his loved ones in a senseless act of violence,' he said. 'As parents and as officers who work in and know this community, I can tell you this has shaken all of us.' 'Jahkai should have made it home that night – he should still be here today,' Harris said. 'To anyone who knows anything, please speak up,' he urged. 'Do it for Jahkai. Do it for his family. And do it for this community.' Jahkai Jack, 15, was gunned down at Buttonwood and Charlton Settlement Aves. in the city's west end on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Photo by Handout / Toronto Police It has been reported that people calling 911 for help were put on hold and that it took 10 minutes from the time a 911 call was received to the time emergency responders arrived at the scene. But Campbell maintained the focus at this point should be on catching Jahkai's killer. 'What I can tell you is Jahkai was shot in this area – 911 was called, we were here within minutes, and ultimately what killed Jahkai was him being shot,' he said. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Campbell also said investigators have obtained and reviewed footage from video cameras in the area. But so far, he was only able to say that the killer is a male who was wearing dark clothing on the night of the deadly shooting. Campbell added that a team of homicide investigators have been 'working tirelessly' to identify Jahkai's killer and to bring him justice. Anyone with information regarding this murder is urged to call the Homicide Unit at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). cdoucette@ @sundoucette Olympics Canada Toronto & GTA Uncategorized Toronto & GTA
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
One dead after Saturday night shooting in Toronto's west end: police
A male in his teens is dead after a shooting in Toronto's west end on Saturday night, police said. Police said they responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Emmett Avenue and Jane Street just after 10 p.m., where officers found the victim with a gunshot wound. Det. Sgt. Phillip Campbell said the male was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead. "We can understand how concerning incidents like this are to members of the community," Campbell said at a news conference Sunday afternoon. "We want to assure the public that we are dedicating all necessary resources to this investigation to find those responsible." Campbell said police do not have a suspect description at this time, but said the suspect fled after the shooting. He said officers will remain in the area as they canvass for video footage and witnesses. "It's way early. There's lots of people that we want to interview. There's lots of family that we wanna talk to. As you can imagine, it is pretty sensitive to some people," Campbell said. Campbell urged anyone with information to contact investigators. "Every time this happens, somebody loses somebody they love and care about, and it's pretty harmful," he said. "It has a ripple effect on the community." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2025. Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press
