A 46-year-old Nigerian man, Osemwengie Irorere, was shot dead at the Yorkdale GO Bus Terminal in Toronto on Sunday, January 4, 2026, in what authorities are calling a deliberate act of violence.
According to the Toronto Police Service, officers were dispatched around 7:00 p.m. following reports of a shooting at the terminal near Yorkdale Road and Allen Road. Emergency responders arrived to find Irorere suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators allege that both the victim and the suspect, identified as Tyrel Gibson, boarded a GO bus at the terminal.
Gibson reportedly shot Irorere on the bus before fleeing on foot. Police located and arrested Gibson shortly afterwards at Yorkdale Mall, recovering a firearm in connection with the incident.
Gibson, a 40-year-old Toronto resident, has been charged with first-degree murder. Court records indicate he was scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Toronto Police noted that this marks the city’s first homicide of 2026. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.
The incident has drawn attention not only because of the victim’s Nigerian heritage but also due to Gibson’s extensive criminal history. Over the years, he has reportedly faced convictions for attempted murder, assault, robbery, gun-related offences, breaking and entering, and uttering threats, raising concerns about repeat offenders in the city.
The tragic killing has sparked outrage among community members, highlighting ongoing safety concerns at public transport hubs in Toronto.
Community leaders in Toronto have expressed deep concern over the recent string of deaths, calling for enhanced public safety measures at transit hubs and stronger support systems for immigrants adjusting to life in Canada.
“Irorere’s death is not just another statistic,” said one community advocate. “It is part of a worrying pattern of violence affecting Nigerian families far from home.”
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