Toronto rapper charged in connection to murder
Several arrests made in Windsor on weekend following January death of Hashim Omar Hashi
A controversial and well-known figure in Toronto’s underground hip hop scene has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder in connection with the January shooting death of Hashim Omar Hashi, a senior police source confirms.
Hassan Ali, who records music as rapper Top5, was arrested over the weekend in Windsor with several other young men, the source said. They were transported back to Toronto and remained in custody as of Sunday night.
On Jan. 31 just before 9 p.m., Hashi, 20, was fatally shot attempting to drive his car into the garage of his apartment building in the Jane Street and Falstaff Avenue area. The suspect car was later located engulfed in flames at Earl Bales Park.
Hashi was a promising accounting student who wasn’t involved in any criminal activities, Toronto police said.
“Mr. Hashi was not involved in any gang activity, nor was he involved in any gang affiliation,” homicide Det-Sgt. Ted Lioumanis said. “He had a promising future and he was a very well respected young man.”
Police were investigating whether his slaying was a case of mistaken identity or if Hashi was targeted just because he lived in the neighbourhood.
Last September, Ali, who is in his early 20s, was arrested and charged for mischief after allegedly stopping rush hour traffic on Highway 401 to shoot a music video. When he was a teenager in Lawrence Heights, near Yorkdale, Ali’s profile got a boost when Drake posted his photo on the superstar’s Instagram account.
Police and community leaders have criticized Ali’s social media activity for stirring up trouble on the streets. Global News recently featured a short interview with Ali responding to criticism that his music celebrates crime and violence. He said that’s what sells.
Ali’s lawyer, Jordan Silver, said his client maintains his innocence. A bail hearing is currently being arranged.
“At this time, we’re still awaiting basic information surrounding this event and Mr. Ali’s involvement, if any,” he wrote in an email to the Star on Sunday night.