Joseph Petit

Joseph Petit was a 17-year-old high school student known for his kindness, a quality for which he had recently received an award from his school in the fall of 2015. Remembered by his family as a loved and good-natured young man, Joseph lived with his mother in an apartment in Toronto's east end. He was a familiar and friendly face in his neighborhood, often seen walking his beloved German shepherd. His mother, Ana Pavao, described him as a cherished child from a good family, whose sudden and violent death left them without closure.

On the evening of Monday, January 4, 2016, Joseph took his dog for its usual walk. Shortly after 6 p.m., he returned the dog to his home near Dentonia Park Avenue and Victoria Park Avenue. He then went back outside, apparently to meet two males who were waiting for him. According to investigators, a brief conversation, lasting only a couple of minutes, escalated into a physical struggle. During the altercation, one of the males produced a gun and shot Joseph once in the neck. The two suspects then fled on foot, heading toward the nearby Victoria Park subway station.

In a tragic turn of fate, Joseph’s mother was walking home from work when she came upon the scene and found her own son lying wounded on the street. Emergency services were called, and the young man was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Joseph Petit, a male, succumbed to his injuries three days later on January 7, 2016. He was identified as the city’s first homicide victim of the year.

The Toronto Police Service launched a homicide investigation, led by Detective Sergeant Gary Giroux. Investigators quickly determined that the motive for the shooting was not robbery. They believe that Joseph was specifically targeted and that he likely knew the two individuals who approached him that evening. Police stated that friends or associates of Joseph might hold key information about what happened and why. The suspects were described only as two males wearing hooded sweatshirts, and no further descriptions have been released to the public.

In the months following the murder, Joseph's mother made a heartfelt public plea for information. "Imagine leaving work and finding your son shot and dying in your very neighbourhood," Ana Pavao said. "He would have died alone had I not arrived at that time... Our child was murdered and there is no closure for that." She held back tears as she spoke of her son's kind character and the love the family had for him, hoping someone would care enough to come forward with the truth.

More than nine years later, the case remains an active but unsolved cold case for the Toronto Police. Investigators have stated they believe the murder is solvable and that just one crucial tip could be all that is needed to break the case open and bring justice to Joseph's family. As of a police update in March 2025, no arrests have been made. A $50,000 reward is still being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Joseph Petit. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Toronto Police homicide squad at 416-808-7400 or to provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).