Lankan arrested in Toronto

15 December 2010 03:37 am

Toronto police have arrested a Sri lankan man and charged him in connection with the death of a 20-year-old university student.

The victim Vincent Dang was struck by a vehicle in Toronto's entertainment district and killed at about 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 27. His death was later ruled a homicide.

On Tuesday, police said they arrested 26-year-old Naveen Ariaratnam at Pearson Airport as he stepped off a flight from Sri Lanka. He has been charged with second-degree murder.

Investigators allege Ariaratnam deliberately ran Dang down in his SUV after an altercation at a nightclub.

Police were originally called to the Rockwood Club on Mercer Street at around 2 a.m. on the day of the homicide, because of a fight between two groups of men, including Dang. Bouncers broke up the fight, and both groups left.

Security camera footage from businesses in the area showed Dang and several friends walking along Wellington Street. A grey or light-blue Chevy Suburban is seen turning west onto Wellington and drives the wrong way down the one-way street.

The SUV then makes a U-turn and drives toward the group. It mounts the sidewalk, hits Dang and drives away.

Dang died later in hospital.

Ariaratnam is scheduled to make a court appearance on Wednesday.


CBC.ca