Police search for suspect in fatal slashing in downtown Toronto

Toronto police are searching for a suspect after a man was attacked and killed in a violent slashing in the city's downtown Sunday morning.

Officers responded to a call around 10:30 a.m. near Dalhousie and Shuter streets and located a man with serious injuries.

Det. Sgt. Henri Marsman said the victim, 50-year-old Jamie Richardson, had been slashed in the neck with a makeshift weapon.

"The victim attended a clinic in the area and when he exited he was approached by the suspect," Marsman told reporters. "There was some sort of interaction and the suspect assaulted the victim."

Marsman said Richardson returned to the clinic seeking help and was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police described the suspect as a six-foot-tall Black male with a large build. The suspect was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black pants, a black toque with a white crest, and black Converse shoes. He was also carrying a beige jacket, a white reusable bag, and a white satchel and dragging a dark piece of rolling luggage.

Police identified the victim as 50-year-old Jamie Richardson. (Submitted by the Toronto Police Service)

The suspect was last seen travelling west on Shuter Street, they added.

While the suspect's age isn't known, Marsman said he appeared to be in his 30s or 40s.

Marsman said police have no information suggesting the two men knew each other, although he said it wasn't a completely random attack given there was an interaction outside the clinic.

"There was some sort of aim to his approaching this person, but I'm not ready to discuss that," Marsman said. "We are eager to get this person into custody as quickly as possible ...We don't have a name yet. If anyone does know this person or recognize him, please give us a call."

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked not to approach him, but to contact investigators.