B.C. Hells Angel Confronts New Ontario Murder Charge Amid Mounting Legal Woes
Damion Ryan, a British Columbia Hells Angel and Wolfpack gangster, has been charged with first-degree murder in Ontario, marking the latest development in a series of serious criminal allegations spanning multiple jurisdictions. The 45-year-old faces charges related to a January 2021 slaying in Bolton, approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Toronto, as announced by the Ontario Provincial Police on April 1.
Expanding Legal Troubles Across Borders
Ryan's legal challenges extend far beyond this new Ontario case. He has previously been charged in the United States for allegedly conspiring to send hitmen to assassinate two Iranian dissidents. Additionally, he was convicted in Manitoba on five counts of trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, with his sentencing hearing scheduled to begin in Winnipeg on May 6 following his December 2025 conviction.
The B.C. government has also named Ryan as a defendant in a lawsuit targeting three Hells Angels clubhouses, further complicating his legal standing. His first appearance in an Ottawa courtroom for the new murder charges is set for April 13.
Details of the Ontario Murder Investigation
The Ontario Provincial Police investigation reveals that the new charges against Ryan include not only first-degree murder but also counts of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder spanning 2020 and 2021. These charges stem from two connected incidents:
- November 12, 2020: A shooting on Steeles Avenue West in Vaughan left one person injured and hospitalized.
- January 18, 2021: Police responded to reports of a shooting on Harvest Moon Drive in Bolton during early afternoon hours.
According to the OPP news release, "Two people sustained gunshot wounds inside the home, including the victim from the Vaughan incident." The deceased victim was identified as 65-year-old Giovanni Costa, while his son Michael Costa—the intended target of the murder conspiracy—survived both attempts on his life.
Ongoing Investigation and Additional Suspects
Ryan represents the fifth individual charged in connection with these incidents. Two other suspects—27-year-old Filmon Fesshaghirgis and 48-year-old Waheed Barakziye—remain fugitives according to police authorities. OPP Detective Inspector Steven Martell emphasized in the release, "With a fifth person arrested, the OPP's investigation continues as officers work to identify the whereabouts of two wanted individuals. If anyone has any information, we urge you to contact police immediately."
Other individuals charged in the case include Christopher Brown of Barrie and Neheniah Tirfe of Toronto, though specific details about their alleged involvement were not immediately disclosed.
Violent History and Gang Affiliations
Ryan's criminal history includes surviving multiple violent attacks, including a 2015 attempt on his life when a would-be hitman tried to kill him in the food court at Vancouver Airport. He was also wounded in a 2010 shooting at a restaurant on Oak Street in Vancouver.
His gang affiliations have evolved over time. Originally from East Vancouver, Ryan eventually moved to Ottawa where he became a member of the Nomads chapter of the Hells Angels before it disbanded due to internal disputes. He subsequently joined the biker gang's Attica, Greece chapter before transferring back to British Columbia to join the Haney chapter, where his uncle has been a long-time member.
The convergence of these multiple legal cases—spanning international murder conspiracies, drug trafficking convictions, and now first-degree murder charges in Ontario—paints a complex picture of organized crime activities crossing provincial and national boundaries. As Ryan prepares for multiple court appearances in the coming weeks, law enforcement agencies continue their investigations into the broader criminal networks involved.
