The father of the 26-year-old Baltimore, Md., man who was fatally beaten outside of a Toronto nightclub on Saturday is struggling to comprehend the death of his oldest child.
“I’ve dealt with loss and I’ve gone through the death of my father in 2010 and my son’s mother about three years ago and this is hard,” Tobias Jones told Global News affiliate station WJZ 13 during a telephone interview Monday.
“I told myself when I got through those things, ‘Please, don’t never put me through the loss of a child’ – and that’s what I’m dealing with now.”
Julian Jones, who was engaged to be married, was at the Blnd Tger club on College Street with other American citizens for a close friend’s bachelor party when they were approached by a group of men outside of the club before 2:30 a.m.
READ MORE: American man killed outside Toronto nightclub identified by police
As Julian and his friends tried to walk away, he got separated from them and that’s when police said he was punched in the face causing him to fall and hit his head. Investigators said the suspects then stomped on Julian’s head. He died before he could make it to hospital.
Tobias said he was astonished and hurt after learning his son died while visiting Canada.
“My son was loving, kind, sharing, respectful and he had hope for mankind. He thought people would get better … I used to tell him on a regular basis that I was proud to have him as my son because he was a great son, a great brother, a great man,” Tobias said.
“He was on the path to become a great husband and after getting married, he’d have some children and be a great father.”
Toronto police homicide squad Det. Rob North said the attack on Julian was not provoked.
“Based on the witnesses we have spoken to, Mr. Jones did absolutely nothing wrong and unfortunately met his demise,” he said.
Investigators want to speak with seven to nine men who were seen heading south on Manning Avenue and North said two of the men are wanted by police in connection with the death.
The first suspect is described by police as 26 to 27 years old with a slim build and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black top with black pants. The second suspect is described as 26 to 27 years old with a “football player’s” build and a full beard. He was last seen wearing a black fitted top and black skinny jeans.
READ MORE: American man killed while visiting Toronto for bachelor party: police
Police have received video of the men, including the suspects and officers are encouraging them to speak with investigators before their photos are released.
Meanwhile, Tobias said he is worried if those responsible for the assault “are not stopped, they’ll do it again.”
“My belief is every time I can pull myself together enough to have a conversation with a TV station or a newspaper, it’s helping me refuel myself because everything that I’m trying to do right now is in the honour of journey and spirit – and everything that I’m trying to do is for his spirit so he can live on in us,” he said.
Anyone with information is being asked to call police at 416-808-1400 or 416-808-7400, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
WATCH: Toronto police have identified the American man who died after he was assaulted outside of a nightclub in Little Italy Saturday. Erica Vella reports. (Nov. 6)
Comments