A Facebook photo of Andrew Dowden, 17, who was found in the Humber River.
A 17-year-old boy found in the Humber River appears to have been shot to death, police said Sunday.
Three people out for a walk along the river spotted the teen's body on Friday evening around 7:30 p.m. near the east bank, behind the campus of Humber College just south of Finch Avenue West.
At first, police weren't certain how he was killed, but later discovered what is believed to be a gunshot wound on his body. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday to confirm the cause of death.
He has been identified as Andrew Dowden, a resident of Toronto.
Mr. Dowden, who lived with his family, was last at home on Monday, July 26. Family members reported him missing later in the week.
He may have been in the neighbourhood where he was found visiting friends sometime in the past few days, but investigators are still trying to determine exactly when he was last seen alive.
"I don't believe he was unfamiliar with the area where he was found," said Detective John Biggerstaff, who is working on the investigation. "He'd have reason to be in the area."
It's not known exactly when he was killed.
Mr. Dowden was a high school student and didn't appear to be working at the time of his death, but rather was taking the summer off, Detective Biggerstaff said.
So far, police don't know why anyone would have wanted him dead.
The teen's friends and family took to Facebook to memorialize Mr. Dowden, who was nicknamed "Philly."
"Missing you like crazy, I'd do anything to see you again," wrote one woman, who referred to him as a brother. "Now a piece of my heart will always be gone...I know you're up there sitting with Jesus watching over our family."
Another poster recalled working with Mr. Dowden at Canadian Tire.
"Good guy, he had a good heart. I'll never forget you," he wrote.
The teen's death is Toronto's 33rd homicide of the year.