Man faces manslaughter charge connected to fatal altercation outside downtown Toronto establishment: police

A man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with a fatal altercation outside a downtown Toronto establishment last month, police say.

Just before 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 28, the accused allegedly got into a "verbal altercation" with the victim, 34-year-old Luke Daniel Kellett-Smith, in the area of Front Street and University Avenue, police said in a news release Monday. The accused then assaulted Kellett-Smith twice, causing him to fall to the ground both times, police alleged. He lost consciousness after the second assault, police said, and died of his injuries three days later.

A 30-year-old Richmond Hill man was arrested the day of the altercation and originally charged with aggravated assault, police said. His charges were upgraded Monday to manslaughter.

The accused was scheduled to appear in court Monday morning.

Kellett-Smith's death was the 44th homicide of 2025, police said. Police are asking anyone with more information to contact investigators or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers.