In Toronto, eight teenagers were charged with uniting in the name of stabbing a 59-year-old man to death.
The girls are all between the ages of 13 and 16, and the incident happened shortly after midnight Sunday, according to a statement from the Toronto Police Department.
Authorities believe the teenagers met on social media & ‘Come from different parts of the city’
During Tuesday’s press conference, Detective Sergeant Terry Browne went into more detail on the matter. Notably, he explained that the teenagers were believed to be involved in a separate incident prior to the stabbing.
“We have information to believe that it was this group of eight young women who had been involved in another scuffle before getting involved in this one.”
Additionally, Browne noted that the group included three 13-year-olds, three 14-year-olds, and two 16-year-olds. However, it’s not clear exactly why they chose to link that night.
“These eight individuals, from what we have gathered so far, met on social media. They came from different parts of the city…We don’t know how or why they met that evening or why the destination was Downtown Toronto. We don’t know how long they’ve known each other, but I wouldn’t describe them as a gang at this point.”
He went on to share that three of the teenagers “had prior contact with law enforcement” and that he also described the nature of the attack as “swarm or swarm behavior.” “.
As for the 59-year-old, his identity has not been released, although authorities note he has been staying at a homeless shelter since late fall.
One witness said the stabbing was due to an alcohol dispute: ‘He protected me’
In a statement sent to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), an unnamed “friend” of the victim shared her story.
She alleges that, while she and the 59-year-old man were smoking outside the shelter, the group approached them and attempted to take their alcohol. However, after the victim asked the teens to stop bullying them, the witness said things escalated.
He defended me, she recalls, noting that girls attacked him.
“Bleeding, bleeding, bleeding. I don’t know if they have knives or anything. I’m just scared. I think they stabbed him in the stomach…I didn’t know he was going to die.”
All 8 girls face charges of second degree murder
Now, the teens have been charged with second-degree murder. They initially appeared in court on Sunday, and their next appearance is scheduled for December 29.
Those with any useful information about the case are asked to contact the authorities at 416-808-7400. Alternatively, people can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
