The wider picture
Daniel Tomassetti has been arrested in Mexico after spending nine years on the run from law enforcement. He is facing serious charges, including at least two counts of first-degree murder, in connection with the deaths of Angelo Musitano and Mila Barberi.
The Musitano family has a long history of ties to organized crime, dating back half a century. The murders of Musitano and Barberi occurred in 2017, with Barberi being shot in a parked SUV in Vaughan in March, and Musitano gunned down in his driveway in Waterdown on May 2. Tomassetti, who left Canada for Mexico in January 2018, was previously listed on Canada’s most wanted list under the BOLO program.
In addition to the murder charges, Tomassetti is also wanted for attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He had no prior criminal record before these charges were filed against him. An award of $50,000 was offered for information leading to his arrest, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the situation.
Michael Cudmore, another individual linked to the killings, was found dead in Mexico in June 2020, further complicating the case. As Tomassetti contests extradition to Canada, authorities are working to gather sufficient evidence to justify his arrest and extradition under Mexican law.
York Regional Police confirmed that Tomassetti is being detained and that an extradition order is being sought. “He is being detained and an extradition order is being sought,” a police spokesperson stated. This development has been met with mixed reactions from the families affected by the crimes.
Hamilton police Det. Sgt. Jason Cattle remarked on the ongoing impact of the case on the Barberi family, stating, “The Barberi family, this is something that is still ongoing for them and always will for the rest of their lives, and there’s one person that’s still outstanding that was involved in their daughter’s murder.” This underscores the emotional toll that these events have had on the victims’ families.
As the situation unfolds, legal experts are weighing in on the extradition process. Jeff Hershberg noted, “Essentially the requesting state, which is Canada, simply just has to provide sufficient evidence to justify the arrest and his committal under the Mexican law.” This highlights the complexities involved in international law enforcement and extradition procedures.
At this time, officials have not provided additional details beyond what has already been shared. The case continues to develop, and observers are closely monitoring the situation as it progresses.
