A British national living abroad was fatally assaulted following a heated dispute with another individual during the early hours of the morning, as stated by the authorities. Luke Kellett-Smith, aged 34, was socializing on December 28 when Benard Emeka Oneh allegedly engaged in a verbal confrontation with him around 1:20 am. The British expatriate, who had relocated to Toronto in 2019, was struck twice, leading to him collapsing outside a venue in the city. Regrettably, Luke succumbed to his injuries on New Year’s Eve after losing consciousness from the second blow.
On December 28, Emeka Oneh, 30, was apprehended for the assault on the expat. Initially facing charges of aggravated assault, the suspect from Richmond Hill saw the charges elevated to manslaughter by the Toronto Police Service on Monday.
The incident transpired at Front Street West and University Avenue, where the deadly altercation unfolded. It was reported that the suspect fled the scene following the incident but was swiftly apprehended later that same day.
Emeka Oneh was slated to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on Monday. Details regarding the relationship between the two individuals or the events leading up to the alleged assault remain undisclosed.
Close acquaintances of Luke paid heartfelt tributes to the British expatriate, highlighting his adventurous and sociable nature. Described as a towering figure at 6’5”, Luke was remembered as a gentle and lively individual who left a profound impact on those he encountered.
Luke, the eldest of three siblings with one brother having passed away earlier, received a touching tribute from his brother Matt, a player at Horndean FC. The football club expressed their condolences to Luke’s family and friends.
To facilitate Luke’s return to the UK, where he can be laid to rest beside his late brother, a GoFundMe page has been established by his loved ones, raising over £27,000 thus far. The fundraiser aims to support Luke’s parents in the challenging ordeal of losing two of their sons.
The fundraising initiative stated, “Our mission is to assist Luke’s parents in bringing him back to Woking, where he can find eternal rest next to his brother James, surrounded by family and affection.”