TORONTO – A 30-year-old Calgary man faces a second degree murder charge in connection to the stabbing death of Toronto resident Mike Pimentel in 2012.
Police said Shawn Poirier was arrested in Calgary on Dec. 3 on a Canada-wide warrant and brought back to Toronto on Dec. 8.
Pimental, 24, was fatally stabbed in the Liberty Village area of downtown Toronto on New Year’s Day three years ago.
Police said the victim had been partying at the Liberty Grand with friends on New Year’s Eve when they parted ways in the early morning hours of Jan. 1.
It is alleged Pimentel got involved in an altercation with the accused while heading back to an apartment and was fatally stabbed.
After nearly three years without any leads, police said the release of several photographs of a person of interest and evidence from the scene over Twitter helped lead investigators in the right direction.
“The campaign was not only done to stimulate thought and reinvigorate the investigation, but it was very captivating and it went international. People were interested in it,” said Staff Inspector Greg McLane during a press conference Thursday morning.
“The social media campaign brought us more information that led us to Poirier.”
VIDEO: Toronto Police detective praises ‘dogged determination’ of investigators in Mike Pimentel case
Police said the accused did not know Pimentel and that the altercation happened by “chance.”
McLane said investigators are still looking to speak with a taxi driver who was directed to speak with Poirier in the area of Lake Ontario during the morning of the incident.
“It is alleged the taxi driver was provided with a cellphone to speak with Mr. Poirier in an effort to locate him and pick him up,” said McLane. “We would like the taxi driver to come forward.”
Meanwhile, Pimentel’s family and friends say they are relieved the accused is finally behind bars.
“It’s very heartbreaking to see his picture and he killed my brother,” said Pimentel’s sister Carla. “Someone who does something like this deserves jail time.”
Pimentel’s girlfriend, who was also present at the press conference, also thanked police for the tireless efforts over the last four years.
“If it wasn’t for them, their determination and hard work, we would not all be standing here today and he wouldn’t be in custody,” said Jennifer DeFraga.
VIDEO: Family of Mike Pimentel express their thanks to police, media in pursuing his murder
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