Wanted for gangland killing in Edmonton

SHAUN DARREN TOON did not fight his extradition to Canada. Toon did not contest the request of the Attorney General of Alberta, Canada, for his extradition to face a charge of second degree murder. Last Wednesday, Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls said a prima facie case had been made out and ordered that Toon be remanded in custody to await his extradition to Canada. His attorney Om Lalla asked no questions of the two prosecution witnesses, neither did he address the court. A formal ruling was then made and Toon went into custody to await his extradition which can take place in June. Who is Shaun Toon? Toon is a Trinidadian whose parents live in Edmonton, Canada.

He was arrested by members of the local Interpol branch in April at a house in Ste Madeline following a request from Canada. Toon, who celebrates his 23rd birthday on May 27, is wanted for the murder of Keith Hunter Raglon which occurred on September 21, 2003. The minimum penalty for second degree murder in Alberta is life in prison with no ability to apply for parole for at least ten years. There is no statute of limitations in relation to the offence of murder in Alberta. Toon has also been charged with other offences such as shooting with intent and possession of a firearm without a license. What is the evidence against Toon?

Toon attended a party hosted by his girlfriend’s father in memory of her brother Julian who was shot dead exactly one year before, in what the police described as a gangland killing. Andrea Valdez, in her affidavit in the extradition proceedings, said she was present at the Athlone Community Hall in Edmonton on September 21, 2003 when she saw Raglon standing near his friend Jahi Willliams who was having an argument with Cherone Wright and her boyfriend, Shaun Toon. Raglon made comments supportive of Williams. Toon, who was known to Valdez, reached for his waistband. Valdez said she ducked and then heard a number of gunshots. She then looked up and saw blood coming from Raglon’s mouth. She ran to call for emergency assistance. Raglon was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A post-mortem examination by Dr Graeme Dowling found four penetrating gunshot wounds on the victim, some of which were fired from close range.

When she returned, Toon was gone. Valdez pointed out Toon in a photographic line-up of eight men. The Crown will also lead evidence that the police recovered seven bullet casings from a nine milliemetre gun at the scene of the shooting. The Crown will also produce Septimus Alexander who said he saw Toon on the day of the shooting. According to Alexander, Toon told him that he had shot Raglon after an argument involving Cherone Wright. Alexander said he told Toon that he had done something wrong and that he should turn himself in. Toon promised to do so. Sgt Lorne Pubantz, of the City of Edmonton Police Force, said the police received a call around 5.30 am on September 21, 2003 that a number of gunshots were fired in the community centre. There was a party being held at the community centre in memory of Julian Wright who had been murdered in a shooting in Edmonton in 2002. The emergency services, according to Pubantz responded to the call and found Raglon lying on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds.

Raglon was taken to the Royal Alexandria Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6.15 am. Witnesses were interviewed and Toon was identified as the shooter, although no one saw him pull the trigger. To date, the murder weapon has not been recovered. Based on statements from witnesses, Pubantz obtained a warrant for Toon’s arrest the same day of the shooting. Police set up surveillance teams to monitor Toon’s parents house at 263 Primrose Gardens, Edmonton. Later that day, officers approached family members and inquired about Toon. The media had been calling the house and the family appeared distraught. The family invited the police into the house for a voluntary search.

Toon was not there. The police also patrolled the area where Cherone Wright lived. One officer called Wright’s cell phone and heard a male voice in the background. When he asked to speak to Toon, Wright hung up. Toon was not located that night and an APB was put out the following day, while the local newspapers circulated wanted posters of Toon. Despite searches, Toon was not found. Pubantz stated that on October 23, 2003, he contacted Inerpol and provided fingerprints and a photograph of the fugitive. He later found out that Toon had been located in Trinidad where he had ties. Toon will be returned to Canada to face his trial which will be listed later this year.