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Toronto man charged in crossbow murders that left 3 dead

The slayings were discovered on Thursday when police were called to a home in response to reports of a stabbing.

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The injuries appeared to have been caused by a crossbow bolt, which was found near the victims. The identities of the victims are not being released until next of kin are notified, he said.

These killings, police said, are linked to an incident in the downtown waterfront area of Toronto.

Brett Ryan, 35, was arrested Thursday and made a brief court appearance Friday. “The guy was hammering on the door”, a neighbour said on Friday.

“He said, “Call 9-1-1, my brother is bleeding in the driveway”.

One neighbour said he opened his door to a man pleading for help.

In 2008, Ryan was charged in relation to a string of bank robberies according to Toronto Police.

When the 32 year old man came out of the building, the police just told him to go “as far as possible”.

In January 2009, Ryan pleaded guilty to eight counts of robbery and eight counts of disguise with intent. It was unclear whether the injuries were caused by the crossbow being shot or whether bolts from the weapon were used like a knife to stab the victims.

Constable David Hopkinson said all three victims had what appeared to be crossbow wounds and a crossbow was found on the floor nearby.

“My husband said he heard some screaming, someone was screaming there”, she said. “Then he said he heard “bang, bang, bang” noise, and then someone was saying ‘calm down'”.

The homicide charges against Ryan come less than 24 hours after police cars and other emergency responders descended on the residential area near Markham Road and Eglinton Ave.

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Living in two houses in the place of the tragedy, Herbert Kolmegies questioned before the National Post about how someone can recharge his crossbow arrows quickly enough to kill three people. Cruz said a middle-aged couple lived at the home.

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