Police have recovered a gun used in the 2013 fatal shooting of a nine-year-old boy in Brampton and say the weapon is linked to another seemingly random killing in Toronto that same year.
Peel Regional Police said Kesean Williams was playing video games in his living room before going to bed on Jan. 23, 2013 when a single bullet pierced the window and struck him in the head.
The boy was taken to hospital in Toronto where he later died of his injuries.
READ MORE: Police release video of possible suspect moments after Kesean Williams, 9, shot
The suspect, believed to be a male, was captured on security camera footage running from the home shortly after the shooting.
Investigators have issued a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect.
Police believe the house was targeted but aren’t sure Kesean or his family were the target. They believe the shooters may have thought the previous tenant was still in the home.
READ MORE: Police believe home of murdered nine-year-old was targeted
Toronto police said Friday that the gun recovered in connection with the shooting of Williams, was also used in the fatal shooting of Surendra Vaithilingham in Scarborough on May 30, 2013.
The 38-year-old father was gunned down in the backyard of his east-end home, on Mantis Road, while doing yard work.
Police said three men drove by his house to make sure he was there before cutting between two houses and fatally shooting him.
Investigators said the men were “sloppy” in carrying out what was called the “brazen” daytime shooting, noting they were captured on several neighbours’ security cameras.
Police released four clips that show a dark four-door sedan — which they say might be a Mazda Protege — travelling past the house just minutes before Vaithilingam’s death.
The driver of the vehicle was described by police as having brown skin and straight dark hair, and the other two men were described as black. There was no word on a possible motive.
READ MORE: Police seek 3 suspects in Scarborough homicide
“It’s difficult to know the source of the conflict that gave rise to this,” Det.-Sgt. Justin Vanderheyden said at the time, adding there was nothing in Vaithilingam’s background that would put him in harm’s way.
Anyone with information is urged to call investigators in the Homicide and Missing Persons Bureau at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3205 or Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
With files from James Armstrong
WATCH: Police release more video in backyard killing of Surendra Vaithilingham
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