WARMINGTON: Peel cops arrest four in dad's 2023 slaying in Missisisauga

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Although it has been more than three years since Bryan Alexander Lara-Alvarez was gunned down, the investigation into his murder was never considered a cold case.

As the Toronto Sun reported then, the 29-year-old father of two children was sitting in his car next to his home in the Dream Crest Rd. and Alicante St. neighbourhood of Mississauga when he was shot to death at 7:36 p.m. on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Despite “life-saving measures being initiated,” he died at the scene.

That was pretty much it in terms of information: Peel Regional Police had a homicide victim from a gunshot and nothing else. No suspects, no motive, no leads. But homicide detectives dove right in and worked with what they did have.

“A grey, four-door, newer-model SUV was observed fleeing the area following the incident,” said police.

They started their chase, no knowing it would last more than three years. They were not deterred. Now Peel police have announced they have arrested four people in connection with this case – two of whom are charged with murder.

“We never stopped working on it,” said Homicide Insp. Mike Mavity.

Was never a cold case even on days when it felt cold

Still, there were some days when this case sure felt cold.

“We ran into some challenges,” the veteran homicide detective mused.

They knew he was “targeted” but they didn’t know why. Who would want Lara-Alvarez dead? The man was much loved.

“To know Bryan was to love him,” his family said at the time. “Bryan was a great soul. He would light up the room with his smile and contagious laugh. A very caring and affectionate man who wore his heart on his sleeve and left a positive impact on many of those with whom he interacted with.”

The obituary at the time added, “Bryan leaves behind his mother Ivonne, father Manuel, sister Kathryn, two children; Vanessa and Dante; niece and God daughter, Valentina, and many family members and friends.”

While the arrests don’t bring him back, they do offer some hope of justice for his murder. With not being known to police or connected to any criminal figures, this has always been a head scratcher.

Peel police kept plugging away

But Peel police are relentless in the Homicide unit. Det. Const Aman Bhalla, the officer in charge, and his team just kept plugging away. Then, through advancements in technology in the public and crime-fighting tools, they got a break. Just like that, some 39 months after this disturbing shooting murder of an innocent man not known to police or any criminal affiliations, the case got hotter.

“Following a complex and extensive investigation, investigators identified several suspects,” Peel police said Friday. “As a result of executed search and arrest warrants, a firearm was seized, and four individuals were taken into custody. “

Both 22, Shamba Tull, of Toronto, and Shammar Osbourne, of Wasaga Beach, were arrested recently and charged with first-degree murder.

Two 23-year-olds from Toronto, Talena Farquharson-Miller and Ahmed Hassan, were charged with possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm and knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm.

All remain in custody pending bail hearings. Considered innocent until proven guilty, these charges have not yet been tested in court. But that they are going to court has come about through dogged police work from canvassing homes to using modern-day communications.

The alleged possible connections of these accused or issues of possible motive are still part of an active investigation. The arrests are just the beginning. This case is still very much under probe. But the arrests are welcomed by the community who for a long time had no idea of where things were at with this murder case.

Now police have the alleged gun used in committing the murder and four accused they allege are linked to it.

This was some fine police work here when you consider where detectives started.

“These arrests mark a resolution in a case that deeply impacted our community. We recognize the lasting effects that violence has on families, neighbours, and the broader public,” said Chief Nishan Duraiappah. “Peel Regional Police remains steadfast in our commitment to public safety, and we will continue working diligently to ensure those responsible for violent acts are brought before the courts.”

They don’t quit on their victims, their families or the at-risk community. No matter how bleak it looks sometimes.

While the accused were out there living their lives since March of 2023, police were trying to figure out who they were. One source said the accused in this case were surprised when police came knocking.

If they thought Peel Regional Police were going to stop looking for them, they were mistaken.

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