A 23-year-old man wanted on Canada-wide warrants for first-degree murder was apprehended earlier this week during a routine traffic stop in Airdrie, Alberta. Abdulkadir Handule, who faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, was arrested on January 27, 2025, in connection with the 2018 shooting deaths of Toronto rapper Jahvante Smart, known as Smoke Dawg, and music manager Ernest Modekwe, also known as Koba Prime.
The arrest unfolded as officers with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were conducting routine speed enforcement along Edmonton Trail NE. Police stopped Handule's vehicle for speeding and illegal window tint. What began as a standard traffic stop quickly escalated. Officers noticed what appeared to be proceeds of crime inside the car, prompting them to investigate both the driver and the passenger. The driver, identified as 25-year-old Alysha Chand from Burnaby, B.C., and Handule were then placed under arrest.
Handule attempted to flee the scene on foot but was swiftly apprehended by the officers who pursued him. During the course of the arrest, authorities discovered a loaded .40-caliber firearm on his person. Handule initially provided fake identification, but police were able to confirm his true identity, linking him directly to the Canada-wide warrants issued against him.
This series of events is tied to the tragic incident on June 30, 2018, when Toronto police responded to reports of gunfire near Queen Street West and Peter Street. The shooting resulted in the deaths of two victims—Jahvante Smart, 21, and Ernest Modekwe, 28. A third individual, a woman, was shot but fortunately survived. Following extensive investigations, police issued warrants for Handule and discovered he was already apprehended on unrelated charges back in Burnaby, B.C., for other matters. At the time, police indicated they were still searching for another suspect involved—an unnamed youth.
The charges against Handule have since multiplied. Besides the murder charges stemming from the 2018 case, he now faces more than a dozen additional charges, including five firearm-related offenses, possession of stolen property over $5,000, three counts of identity fraud, possession of counterfeit money, and two counts of resisting arrest. The protection afforded to Handule under the Youth Criminal Justice Act prevents the public from knowing his name, as he was underage at the time the crimes were committed.
Alysha Chand, the driver of the vehicle, also faces charges for possession of stolen property and possession of counterfeit money. Both Handule and Chand are currently remanded in custody, with court proceedings scheduled for January 30, where the Crown will decide whether to extradite Handule back to Ontario to stand trial for the 2018 homicides.
Constable Jennifer Weedmark of the Airdrie RCMP emphasized the unpredictable nature of police work, stating, "This arrest is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of police work. Even during routine tasks, officers must remain vigilant. It’s important the public allows law enforcement the space and time necessary to carry out their duties safely." This reflects the inherent risks officers face, highlighting the need for community cooperation to maintain public safety.
With both suspects awaiting their upcoming court appearances, the case has drawn attention not only for the violent crime they are allegedly involved with but also for the discussions it has sparked surrounding public safety and the challenges law enforcement agencies encounter daily. The community and beyond are now watching closely as the legal proceedings develop, hoping for justice for the families affected by the devastating events of 2018.