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David Cavanagh Murder Charge: Toronto Police Officer Charged With Second Degree Murder In Death Of Eric Osawe

Toronto Cop Charged With Murder In A First For The Force

A Toronto Police officer has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 26-year-old Eric Osawe.

Const. David Cavanagh had originally been charged with manslaughter in the 2010 death but those charges were upgraded during a court appearance today.

Const. Cavanagh is the first Toronto police officer to face a murder charge for actions performed while on duty, CBC reported. He's been suspended from duty with pay since the original charge. According to the CBC, Cavanagh was released on bail in February 2011.

Osawe was shot on Sept. 29, 2010 while police were executing a search warrant in an Etobicoke apartment. Osawe's brother, Ebony, was charged with gun-related offences, reported the CBC. Cavanagh's case was investigated by Ontario's Special Investigative Unit, which probes all interactions between police and civilians that lead to injury or death in the province.

According to Toronto Star reports, 14 other police officers were present at the raid at Osawe's apartment.

Osawe, a Nigerian-born father of two, had past run-ins with the police but was trying to get his life in order, reports the Toronto Star.

"We have lost all trust and faith in the criminal justice and law enforcement systems in Ontario," Osawe's family said in a statement last year. "However, the fact that charges have been laid against officer Cavanagh has restored some of our hope in these systems. Nothing will bring Eric Osawe back to us…. We thank our friends and family for their continued love and support."

Cavanagh played a role in arresting the suspects responsible in the boxing day shooting of Jane Creba, the Toronto teen gunned down by gang members while she was walking in one of the city's busiest shopping districts, reported the National Post.

With files from CP

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