Man Wanted in Smoke Dawg Murder Arrested

Police finally have a suspect in custody for the 2018 murder of Toronto rapper Smoke Dawg.

On Friday (Aug. 23), police announced they've arrested 23-year-old Abdulkadir Handule in connection with the shooting death, which also took the life of Smoke's brand manager Ernest "Prime" Modekwe, reports CBC News. An unnamed woman was also shot during the incident but survived.

As previously reported, Smoke, born Jahvante Smart, and Prime were killed during a shooting outside of the Cube nightclub at Queen Street West and Peter Street in Toronto's Entertainment District on June 30, 2018.

"The scene just turned chaotic," a witness said at the time. "There were people running everywhere, there were vehicles just trying to get out of the way. Down on Peter Street we just saw a mass of tourists—normal Saturday traffic on Queen Street—basically running scared for their lives. It was intense, it was very chaotic."

Drake even offered his condolences to the promising rapper writing on his Instagram Story, "I wish peace would wash over our city. So much talent and so many stories we never get to see play out. Rest up Smoke."

In the wake of the double homicide, a warrant was issued for Handule on two counts of first-degree murder. Following a year-long manhunt, Handule was arrested in Burnaby, B.C. on unrelated charges of kidnapping and forcible confinement along with two other men in July. He was extradited to Toronto a short time later.

Police are also still on the hunt for another unnamed suspect in connection with the murders. Handule appeared in court on Thursday (Aug. 22). His next scheduled court date is on Sept. 11.

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