Charlottetown police capture Toronto man at top of national most-wanted list

Charlottetown police have arrested a man who was listed at the top of a national most-wanted list.

The force said in a news release that its street crime unit, along with the major crime unit and a rapid tactical deployment team, arrested 35-year old Michael Bebee in Charlottetown on Tuesday.

Toronto police had issued a Canada-wide warrant for Bebee's arrest in connection with the July 23, 2023, shooting death of Shamar Powell-Flowers in Toronto's east end. Bebee is accused of second-degree murder in relation to the incident. The matter has not yet been before the courts.

Powell-Flowers's mother, Charmaine Flowers, said in an emailed statement on behalf of her family that she was elated to learn of Bebee's arrest in P.E.I.

"While it is difficult to describe the flood of emotions that washed over me during that phone call, I know that for the first time in nine months, one of those emotions was elation. An immense weight had been lifted," Flowers wrote.

"To whoever out there is responsible for giving police the information they needed to put Michael Bebee behind bars, to allow me and my family to take our next steps forward through this awful journey, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

"Please know that if my beautiful Shamar were alive and the tables were turned, he would not have hesitated to help your family in any way he could."

'Happy to play a small part'

Charlottetown police were contacted last week by the force in Toronto about tips that indicated Bebee might be on P.E.I.

On Tuesday, at around 7:20 p.m., officers arrested Bebee without incident at a business near the corner of Queen Street and Belvedere Avenue.

"When we locate an individual that's wanted for such a serious offence, it's always a good day. We're happy to play a small part in this big investigation," said Charlottetown police Chief Brad MacConnell.

"He's a serious offender and he's been on the run for quite some time, so you have to take advantage of your opportunities, and one presented itself to investigators [Tuesday]."

On April 23, Bebee was ranked the most wanted man in the country by the Bolo Program, a project run by the Stéphan Crétier Foundation charity, which helps raise awareness about the country's most wanted.

The program was offering $100,000 reward for tips.

Bebee was taken to the Provincial Correctional Centre in Charlottetown, and will be held there until Toronto homicide detectives arrive to transport him back to Ontario "in the coming days."

"We are just so happy that this family finally has closure," Toronto police Const. Shannon Eames told CBC News on Wednesday.

"We're just so very thankful that one tip did lead to the arrest of Michael Bebee."

'It impacts a lot of people' 

In an update to the shooting investigation last fall, Toronto police said Powell-Flowers was shot after he intervened in an "altercation" that took place near Danforth and Carlaw avenues in Toronto.

At the time of Powell-Flowers's death, Bebee was under a gun prohibition for his part in another Toronto shooting four years earlier, according to Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw.

MacConnell said Wednesday that Bebee's arrest was about more than just assisting another police agency.

"We know we played our part in supporting families that are looking for answers and closure in these types of cases," he said. "The matter's still before the court, but we're thankful we could play a small part in a big file and knowing that it impacts a lot of people."