A 34-year-old British man died after an altercation in Toronto, with a 30-year-old suspect charged with manslaughter following the incident near Front Street West.
Alleged Assault Leads to Death of British Man in Toronto
A British man living in Toronto was allegedly beaten to death outside a venue after a heated argument with another man.
Luke Kellett-Smith, 34, was out in the early hours of December 28 last year when he reportedly had a fiery row with Benard Emeka Oneh.
Emeka Oneh, 30, allegedly assaulted Luke, who was formerly from Woking, sending him to the ground after the first blow.
When Luke got up, the suspect was accused of assaulting him again, causing him to lose consciousness, according to the Toronto Police Service.
The alleged brawl occurred near Front Street West and University Avenue.
Oneh, who lives in Richmond Hill, allegedly fled the scene. Luke was taken to the hospital and placed on life support before being pronounced dead on New Year’s Eve.
Oneh has been charged with manslaughter after initially facing charges of aggravated assault.
He appeared in court on January 5.
It is unclear whether the two men knew each other.
Remembering Luke Kellett-Smith
Luke has been remembered as a “cherished son, grandson, brother, uncle, and friend.”
He had lived in Toronto since 2019, building “a life full of adventure, friendship, and possibility.”
His best friend, Jack Elton, said: “Luke truly loved life and lived it to the fullest, making friends and connections everywhere he went.”
Jack added, “Whether you knew him for five minutes or for five years, Luke left a lasting impression.”
Standing at 6’5”, Luke was described as a gentle giant. Jack said, “Kind, warm, and full of life, he had a heart as big as his presence.”
Luke was the eldest of three brothers and had lost his younger brother.
Horndean FC paid tribute to Luke, whose brother Matt plays for the club. The club stated: “As a club, we send our love to the family, friends, and loved ones of Luke.”
A GoFundMe has been set up by Jack to bring Luke home to Woking, Surrey, to organize his funeral and support his parents, Nick and Mariella Smith.
Jack said, “Luke will be forever loved, forever missed, and never forgotten.”
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Luke Kellett-Smith |
| Age | 34 |
| Incident Date | December 28, 2022 |
| Location | Front Street West and University Avenue, Toronto |
| Suspect Name | Benard Emeka Oneh |
| Suspect Age | 30 |
| Charges | Manslaughter |
| Court Appearance | January 5, 2023 |
| Death Pronounced | December 31, 2022 |
