Alleged Killer of 11-Year-Old Girl in Hospital with Gunshot Wound

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Police have provided an update on the condition of 41-year-old Roopesh Rajkumar, the man who allegedly murdered his 11-year-old daughter, Riya Rajkumar, last week.

Peel police say officers were made aware of Riya's disappearance just before 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 when Riya's mother told police that her daughter had not been returned home at the expected time.

Riya had been celebrating her birthday with her father.

Police say the mother was further concerned for their well-being when the accused made comments indicating he was going to harm himself and his daughter.

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"Peel Regional Police immediately initiated an investigation using a number of investigative techniques in an attempt to locate the father and daughter. Once all of the criteria were met, an Amber Alert was issued," police say.

Later that evening, Riya was located deceased in a house in the Queen Street and Hansen Road area in Brampton.

The accused was later located and arrested by OPP in the Township of Oro-Medonte as a result of information provided in the Amber Alert.

He has since been charged with first-degree murder.

On Feb. 17, police revealed that the accused is currently in hospital due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was contacted, but it has since determined that it will not be invoking its mandate.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

Police say the accused has since been remanded into the custody of Ontario Correctional Services. He will appear in court once he has been medically cleared to attend.

Riya's death shocked the entire Peel community, prompting city official to announce that flags in both Brampton and Mississauga would be flown at half-mast.

Last night, a vigil was held for Riya at Meadowvale Village Green, which is just down the street from Meadowvale Village Public School, where Riya attended school as a grade 5 student.

On Tuesday (Feb. 19), a 5:45 p.m., another candlelight vigil will be held at Garden Square, located at Queen Street and Main Street, in Brampton.

After news of Riya’s death broke, Neighbourhood Watch Brampton started crowdfunding to help Riya’s family cover funeral expenses. The $2,500 goal has long since been surpassed, with donations hitting over $28,000 as of 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 17.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call investigators with Homicide and Missing Person's Bureau at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3205.

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