Two men are facing numerous charges, including First Degree Murder, in relation to a March 2025 homicide in the City of Markham.
On Friday, March 7, 2025, at approximately 6:30 a.m., police responded to a shooting at a residence on Solace Road. When officers arrived, they located a man and a woman inside the residence suffering from gunshot wounds. They were both transported to a trauma centre where the woman was pronounced deceased.
A dog was also shot inside the home and died from his injuries.
The female victim has since been identified as 20-year-old Nilakshi RAGUTHAS of Markham.
The male, 26, of Markham, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
On March 21, 2025, investigators with the York Regional Police Homicide Unit, with the assistance of the Emergency Response Unit, executed a search warrant in the City of Toronto. Aekwon MURRAY, 28, was taken into custody and charged with Fail to Comply with a Judicial Release Order x3 and Operate a Conveyance while Prohibited x2.
On March 31, 2025, while still in custody, four additional charges were laid against MURRAY, including First Degree Murder.
At the time of the offence, MURRAY was on conditions of a judicial release order for unrelated offences.
He remains in custody and is set to appear in court on April 14, 2025.
On April 1, 2025, Homicide Unit investigators, with the assistance of the Emergency Response Unit, arrested a second suspect, 35-year-old Heshmat RASOULI-KALANTARZADE, in the City of Toronto.
At the time of the offence, RASOULI-KALANTARZADE was on conditions of a judicial release order for unrelated offences.
Investigators are treating this as a targeted incident and continue to appeal to any witnesses. Anyone who has not yet spoken to police, or who may have security video from the area is asked to come forward.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Homicide Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7865, or email the Homicide Unit at homicide@yrp.ca. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or by visiting their website at www.1800222tips.com
Visit our Community Safety Data Portal for complete stats and crime data within York Region. Crime prevention is our shared responsibility. Learn more about Operation Streetview.
Prepared by: Constable Kevin Nebrija
25-74397
April 2, 2025