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Homicide investigators released footage that depicts the suspects in a brazen backyard slaying looping around a Scarborough neighbourhood for several minutes in what police say is an attempt to locate their alleged victim: a 38-year-old married father of a 4-year-old boy.

Shortly after 3 p.m. on May 29, Surendra Vaithilingam was shot at close range in the backyard of his Mantis Road home, dying of a gunshot wound to his chest. Mr. Vaithilingam left work early that day to work on upgrades to his backyard patio in preparation for his son’s upcoming birthday party, according to Det. Justin Vander Heyden. Police have so far been unable to determine an “obvious source of conflict” in Mr. Vaithilingam’s life “that would cause him to be put in danger,” he said.

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After piecing together security footage taken from multiple home security cameras in the area, police isolated shots showing a dark coloured vehicle — an older model Mazda Protege with front wheel wells caked in dirt — driving past Mr. Vaithilingam’s house. The victim is standing outside, fiddling with a pallet of interlocking bricks on his lawn, a contractor’s vehicle in the driveway, giving the suspects “a very clear opportunity” to see him, said Det. Vander Heyden.

Moments later, three men walk up to the house. Then, they flee on foot from what appears to be the laneway leading to the backyard, ostensibly to the vehicle parked out of range.

The suspects are described as men in their 20s, two are black and the third has brown skin and straight black hair.

“For this reason I believe Surendra’s murder was not a mistake,” said Mr. Vander Heyden, who appealed to anyone with information about the vehicle and its owner to contact him directly (416-808-7400) or to leave a tip anonymously with Crime Stoppers 416-222-TIPS (8477).