Man charged in daytime Toronto shooting death, victim remembered as 'beacon of light'

A 32-year-old Toronto man has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder for his alleged role in an east-end shooting that killed a mother of two, police say.

Damian Hudson appeared in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on Thursday. A bail hearing has been scheduled for July 25.

Karolina Huebner-Makurat, 44, died in hospital on July 7 after she was hit by a stray bullet in the area of Queen Street East and Carlaw Avenue in Leslieville. She was also known as Caroline.

In a statement Tuesday, her husband, Adrian Makurat, thanked bystanders who tended to his wife immediately after the shooting, as well as police and paramedics.

"On behalf of my family, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the brave and compassionate individuals who, as innocent bystanders, selflessly attempted to save Caroline before the arrival of the first responders," he said in the statement.

"Their heroic efforts in such a challenging and distressing situation will forever be remembered and cherished...We will forever hold your acts of bravery and humanity in our hearts." 

The shooting happened in the busy area shortly before 12:30 p.m. following an altercation between three men that led to an exchange of gunfire between two of them, according to police.

At the time, Hudson was on two release orders and under three firearm prohibitions, police said in an email to CBC Toronto.

Court documents obtained by CBC News show that Hudson has a criminal record.

In August 2019, he was convicted of aggravated assault and weapons dangerous for a 2018 stabbing. He was sentenced to 15 months and two years' probation.

In 2021, he was charged with assault causing bodily harm and failing to comply with the probation order issued in August 2019. Those charges remain before the courts.

Investigators previously released images of all three suspects as part of an appeal for the public's help in identifying them. Police said Thursday they are still trying to identify the other two men involved in the incident. 

One of them, who is shown in the middle of the image below, is said to be between 18 and 25 years old, average height, slim build, with long hair in a ponytail. He was wearing a black baseball hat, a black North Face hoodie, dark coloured jeans and white shoes, police say. The other, shown on the right in the image below, is believed to be between 18 and 25 years old, tall, with a thin build. He was wearing a grey hoodie, dark pants and dark shoes.

'Hug your loved ones,' says husband

Leslieville residents set up a makeshift memorial for Huebner-Makurat shortly after her death, laying flowers, candles and notes mourning her.

Hours after the shooting, Makurat, who identified himself as the husband of the victim, posted on social media asking for privacy and calling it a "tragic day."

"Life is short. Hug your loved ones every moment you get the chance," he wrote on a Facebook profile with pictures of the couple and two young girls.

In his statement Thursday, he spoke of the "sudden and shocking turn our lives have taken" and thanked the community for their support. 

"Your acts of kindness and the outpouring of support have been a source of strength and solace for my family. Caroline was a beacon of light, and the compassion shown by each of you reflects the love and empathy she would have extended to others in a similar situation," he said.

 A public vigil will be held on Monday, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Jimmie Simpson Park to honour her life, he added.

Mayor calls shooting 'horrible tragedy'

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow commented on the killing on Monday, two days before she formally took office, extending her condolences to Huebner-Makurat's family and calling what happened a "horrible tragedy."

"The challenge before me when I become mayor is to find ways to end gun violence and all types of violence," Chow said.

Publicly available police data — current as of Saturday — shows reported shootings are at a five-year low, dating back to 2019.

So far this year, there have been 153 reported shootings or firearm discharges, compared to a high of 225 in 2020, or the next lowest mark of 187 in 2021.

While homicides and reported shootings are down so far, police data indicate assaults are trending up by about 18 per cent compared to the five-year average by this time of year.