Teen Killed in Toronto Airbnb Shooting, Friend Charged

Toronto police have confirmed that 16-year-old Yonadab Dar was the victim of a fatal Airbnb shooting inside a short-term rental unit at 12 York Street, near the city’s waterfront. A 19-year-old man, identified as Elijah Chapman, turned himself in and now faces a charge of second-degree murder.

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The incident is being treated as Toronto’s sixth homicide of 2025.

Details of the Shooting

Timeline and Location

The shooting occurred early Sunday morning, March 23, 2025.
Emergency services responded to a call around 5:50 p.m.
The unit involved was a 49th-floor condo rented via Airbnb.

Upon arrival, police found Dar with obvious gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The unit was part of the ICE condominium complex, a high-rise near York Street and Lake Shore Boulevard West.

Suspect Turns Himself In

Shortly after the investigation began, Elijah Chapman, a 19-year-old from Toronto, surrendered to police. Authorities confirmed that Dar and Chapman were friends, but have not disclosed a motive.

Investigators believe the shooting may have gone unreported for several hours until Chapman came forward.

Police later confirmed that the firearm believed to be used in the shooting was recovered by the Toronto Police marine unit near the waterfront.

Airbnb Rentals Under Scrutiny

Airbnb confirmed that the condo unit where the shooting took place was a rental. This incident follows another unrelated police call at the same high-rise two days earlier, also linked to a short-term rental unit.

Residents have expressed growing concern about repeated safety issues tied to short-term rentals in the area.

“There’s no weekend without police presence,” said Edward Celestial, a long-time resident.
“Something keeps happening here all the time,” added Pramoud Kumar, who lives nearby.

Community and Safety Concerns

The ICE condominiums and surrounding Harbourfront area have seen an increase in crime reports in recent years. Although officials consider this shooting an isolated incident, it has reignited debate over regulating Airbnb and short-term rentals in residential buildings.

The City of Toronto has taken steps in recent years to tighten short-term rental bylaws, but enforcement continues to be a challenge, especially in high-demand downtown buildings

Ongoing Investigation

Police have not released further information about:

How many individuals were inside the unit during the shooting
What led to the gun being fired
Whether the weapon was legally obtained

Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to contact Toronto Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

The death of 16-year-old Yonadab Dar in a downtown Toronto Airbnb marks another tragic entry in the city’s 2025 homicide record. With a close friend now charged with murder, the case highlights ongoing concerns about urban violence, short-term rental safety, and youth crime.

Residents and advocates continue to call for stricter oversight of short-term rentals and more proactive safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.

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