Residents in Brampton, Peel Region and across Ontario are in shock today after events over the past 24 hours ended tragically in the death of 11 year old Riya Rajkumar in a Brampton home. The announcement of Riya’s death early this morning followed an Amber Alert that was issued around midnight.
The Amber Alert asking for public assistance in locating a grey Honda vehicle resulted in tips that lead police to a high risk takedown of the suspect in the Orillia area. The suspect and victim’s father, Roopesh Rajkumar was arrested.
Many mobile users apparently not familiar with the emergency notification system called 9-1-1 complaining about the late night notification.
Our communications bureau is receiving numerous calls to 9-1-1, complaining about the late hour of the Amber Alert. As a direct result of someone receiving the alert, we were able to locate the suspect & his vehicle. The system works. Thank you to all those that called with tips.
— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPoliceMedia) February 15, 2019
Ward 1/5 Councillor Rowena Santos spoke with us earlier this morning after receiving an update from the acting Chief of Police (see video above). Mayor Brown issued a statement later this afternoon stating:
On behalf of the Members of Brampton City Council, I want to express my shock by the tragic development that happened in Brampton last night. This is a horrific and senseless loss of life of an 11 year old child.
I have spoken to Acting Peel Regional Police Chief Chris McCord about this isolated incident. I want to thank citizens who responded to the Amber Alert. Tips led the Ontario Provincial Police to apprehend the suspect in Oro-Medonte. I am confident Peel Regional Police will do a thorough investigation of this death.
My thoughts are with the Rajkumar family and friends. I know our community will provide support to this family. All City of Brampton facilities will lower their flags to half mast in honour of Riya.
Early reports indicate that Riya went to school in Mississauga and was with her father in Brampton on Thursday afternoon. Riya’s mother called police when Riya was not returned by her father later in the evening.
Neighbourhood Watch Brampton has starting a community fund that will be offered to the family to help with funeral costs for Riya. You can donate here: https://nwbrampton.ca/riya
