WARMINGTON: More questions than answers in mysterious slaying of Daniel Stopnicki

Toronto Police are asking residents in and around North York’s Wenderly Park if they had any interactions with the accused

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Published May 04, 2026  •  Last updated 8 hours ago  •  3 minute read

Daniel Stopnicki. Photo by LinkedIn

This is not a whodunnit homicide case as much as it is a why was it done investigation?

So far, there are more questions than there are answers. But lots of questions are being asked.

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Toronto Police are asking residents in and around North York’s Wenderly Park if they had any interactions with the man charged in the slaying of 47-year-old Daniel Stopnicki?

Michaelo Markicevic, 67, was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree murder. He remains in custody and the charges have not been tested in court. The accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.

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Court is where this is eventually headed. Perhaps by the time it finally gets there, people will have a better idea of what in the world happened.

“Determining the motivation is part of the investigation,” said Toronto Police spokesperson Shannon Eames.

Daniel Stopnicki. Photo by Toronto Police

Police working on motive

Whatever the alleged motive, it is a headscratcher for the public right now. Remember, this brazen shooting occurred at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday in a serene park near Marlee and Glencairn Aves., where kids play baseball, use the swings, people walk their dogs or just go for a stroll.

It is said by family friends that Stopnicki was walking his dog when he was approached and shot to death with the startled dog running home after the shooting – but police have not confirmed the dog walking part. But assuming that Stopnicki’s friends and people who have visited a vigil for him are right, it offers a narrative that this man lived in the area and was out doing routine things when this horror struck.

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What would cause a man with a gun to allegedly approach another man walking his dog in a public park early in the afternoon and shoot him up to five times? And then allegedly wait there?

There has been no credible information made public to this date to suggest there was an antisemitic component to this or any of the other things being wildly speculated in this case.

It’s such a strange set of circumstances, so it’s not a surprise that people are guessing. With so little information available, all people can do is speculate. With nothing ruled in, the old adage is nothing can be ruled out. Homicide detectives are keeping their cards close to their vest — as they usually and wisely do.

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Did they know each other, was this random?

Police have said the slaying of Stopnicki, who worked in the gaming and animation businesses and had taught those topics at local colleges as part of his journey, is not a hate crime or an act of terror. But there are no obvious links that jump out that indicate he knew the accused or how they would have known each other.

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The family has understandably not spoken with the media as they mourn this senseless loss. They were sitting shiva Monday night and remembering their loved one for what one person who knew him well said was his commitment to family. Meanwhile, people who know the family told the Toronto Sun that they do not know who the accused is and that they said Daniel “had no enemies, no debts and was a family man.”

Michaelo Markicevic, 67, of Toronto, has been charged with second-degree murder. Photo by TORONTO POLICE

Meanwhile the accused, who went by the first name Mike, is somewhat of an anomaly himself. Sources said police have looked into past court dealings with his former employer York University, where he worked as a security manager, that led to an acquittal over money issues. They were also looking into his years of service as an officer with the old Collingwood police department that melded into the OPP in 1988.

Other than to confirm he was never one of their officers, Toronto Police have not commented on any of online news stories on the accused’s past employment or time in a courtroom. But the big question for police, for Stopnicki’s family and the public is why did this happen?

One thing everybody involved agrees on is this disturbing tragedy is also a real mystery.

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