Photo: CP24/Youtube
After eight teen girls were accusedof stabbing a 59-year-old Toronto man to death over the weekend, city residents and officials are reeling from the violent incident.
Sunday’s “swarming attack” happened around 12:17 a.m. in the University Avenue and York Street area of the city, Toronto Police said on Tuesday.
The victim, a city resident whose name has not yet been released, was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead soon afterward.
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The victim had moved into the city’s shelter system in late fall after experiencing some “hard luck,” per Browne. Friends from the shelter told local outlets he didn’t live there anymore but was visiting someone at the shelter when the attack occurred.
Webber alleged the teens approached the victim and the other friend and tried to steal their alcohol, which prompted the altercation. The victim’s friend corroborated this,telling Global News she was with himwhen the alleged assault happened and that the victim was defending her as the teens tried to take her liquor.
“I saw everything,” the friend told the news channel. “He [tried to] stop them, ‘leave her alone,’ and they [stabbed him] and [he was] bleeding.”
Browne said the girls “met each other through social media” and had “come from varying parts of the city.” He said it was unclear why they chose to meet that night.
He also said the girls were believed to have had another “aggressive altercation” earlier that same night.
“My thoughts are with this [victim’s] friends and all those who knew him as they mourn his loss,” Mayor John Tory tells PEOPLE. “Acts of violence like this are unacceptable and the Toronto Police have my full support as they … work to hold accountable those who would do such a terrible thing.”
Toronto Police tell PEOPLE, “We don’t have any updates to provide at this time. Once next-of-kin are notified, we will provide the name of the victim via news release.”
The suspects remain in custody and will appear in court again on Dec. 29. It’s unclear whether they have issued pleas or retained attorneys to speak on their behalf.
source: people.com
