A 23-year-old Oshawa man is facing a litany of serious charges, including manslaughter, after a series of intentionally set fires in the Durham Region. Investigators with the DRPS Homicide Unit have linked the suspect to a fatal house fire in February that claimed the life of a senior citizen, as well as a subsequent attempt to burn down an occupied residence earlier this month.
The Fatal Nash Road Blaze
The investigation began on the night of Sunday, February 22, 2026, when emergency crews were called to a fully engulfed residence near Nash Road and Varcoe Road in Courtice. Clarington Fire and Emergency Services worked to suppress the flames, but a search of the debris led to a grim discovery.
Inside the home, crews located the body of 78-year-old Gerald (Gerry) Schad. A post-mortem examination later confirmed that Schad died as a direct result of the fire. At the time, the incident was treated as suspicious, drawing in the East Division Criminal Investigations Branch and the Homicide Unit.
Caught in the Act: The Second Arson
The breakthrough in the case came on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Police observed a suspect using an “improvised electronic ignition device”—described by investigators as combustible material ignited by an electronic source—to start a fire at an occupied home near Townline Road North and Nash Road.
While that residence was occupied at the time, the fire was intercepted, and no physical injuries were reported. The suspect was immediately taken into custody. Forensic evidence and investigative leads subsequently linked him to the fatal February fire involving Mr. Schad.
Charges and Legal Status
The accused, identified by Durham Regional Police as Matthew Bryce Shawn Jones, was already under court-ordered conditions not to possess any incendiary devices at the time of these incidents. Jones has been charged with:
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Manslaughter
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Arson – Disregard for Human Life (x2)
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Mischief Under $5,000 (x2)
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Breach of Probation (x2)
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Prowl at Night
Jones was held for a bail hearing as the legal proceedings began. The Homicide Unit is continuing to look for any additional evidence that may link the suspect to other suspicious fires in the area.
Public Appeal for Evidence
Detectives are specifically asking residents in the Courtice Arson and East Oshawa areas to review any home security footage from the nights of February 22 and April 1. If you noticed any suspicious individuals or vehicles near the Nash Road corridor, you are urged to contact Det. Stewart of the Homicide Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5416.
For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information that leads to a conviction may be eligible for a cash reward.
