2nd-degree murder charges laid in beating death of American outside Toronto nightclub

Toronto police have arrested two suspects in connection to the brutal beating death of a 26-year-old American man outside a downtown nightclub over the weekend.

Julian Jones, of Maryland, 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. on Sunday.

Police said an altercation between the two groups resulted in Jones being punched in the face and stomped on while unconscious on the ground. The University of Baltimore student died en route to hospital.

“There’s a confrontation on Manning Avenue on the south side of College Street. Mr. Jones and his friends were not the aggressors,” Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux told reporters at a press conference Thursday morning. “He was lying on the ground semi-conscious and was attacked.”

READ MORE: American man killed while visiting Toronto for bachelor party: police

Investigators said two men wanted by police in connection to the violent assault, which they believe was unprovoked, were arrested on Wednesday without incident.

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They have been identified as Kamari Folkes and Kenneth Omorogbe. Both have been charged with second-degree murder.

“I would say they are the main suspects. There is another individual,” Giroux said.

VIDEO: Two arrests made in College St. beating death of American man

0:42 Two arrests made in College St. beating death of American man

Police said the third suspect is described as a white male in his late 20s, between 160 to 180 lbs and wearing casual clothing.

Giroux said police were able to get witness accounts from both the club staff and patrons which helped lead to the arrests.

Investigators said they also have in possession surveillance footage from the nightclub, video evidence from nearby businesses and cellphone video from one of Jones’ friends which helped identify the suspects.

“We have a group of the suspects inside the bar. You can see them moving around,” Giroux explained. “I would take that video and play it for the witnesses and I would play it to the friends of the deceased and say narrate this, ‘Who’s this?'”

Police said they intend to send investigators to Maryland to further interview Jones’ friends and possibly identify further suspects.

The investigation is still ongoing and authorities are asking anyone at or around the nightclub at the time of the fatal assault to come forward.

VIDEO: Toronto police have identified the American man who died after he was assaulted outside of a nightclub in Little Italy Saturday. Erica Vella reports.

2:16 American man killed outside Toronto nightclub identified by police

-Nick Westoll contributed to this report