Arrest made in York student murder case

Antonella Cangelosi
Staff Writer
A suspect has been arrested in connection to the Nov. 27 murder of 20-year-old York University finance student Vincent Dang.
26-year-old Naveen Ariaratnam was arrested Dec. 14. He is facing second-degree murder charges for allegedly running over Dang with a rented SUV following an altercation inside Rockwood Nightclub.
According to the National Post, Ariaratnam had fled from Canada to Sri Lanka shortly after Dang’s murder.
He returned to Toronto’s Pearson Airport on the afternoon of Dec. 14 and was promptly arrested by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), who had flagged Ariaratnam’s passport.
The Toronto Police Services were able to track him down with the help of video surveillance provided by a nearby condominium unit. In addition, police were provided with surveillance footage, courtesy of a Diamond taxi cab, which showed a male from Ariaratnam’s group entering the cab shortly before Dang was run down.
The National Post article also notes the argument that ultimately led to Vincent Dang’s death occurred when one of Dang’s friends attempted to enter Rockwood’s smoking patio, but was hindered by a group of Ariaratnam’s friends. The club’s bouncers managed to put an end to the fight, and both parties left the club.
Dang and his friends were walking away when he was struck by the SUV that claimed his life. He was rushed to St. Michael’s Hospital where he died in the early hours of the morning, leaving behind a father, mother and older brother.
Ariaratnam was scheduled to appear in Old City Hall court on Dec. 15.