Update: Four of 8 teenage girls granted bail – Toronto Police investigate the city’s 68th homicide of the year

The 2022 Toronto Homicide Victim List is available here
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Toronto police were flagged down by a group, to a stabbing of a 59-year-old man on December 18th at approximately 12:15 a.m in the area of York St. and University Ave. 

On arrival police located the man with serious stabbing injuries. The victim was rushed to the hospital where he died of his injuries. Police learned that the 59-year-old victim was assaulted and stabbed by a group of teenage girls. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification. Toronto police said the victim had moved into Toronto’s homeless shelter system in late fall and had a supportive family system.

A group of eight teenage girls were arrested nearby and recovered a number of weapons. Investigators said three 13-year-old girls, three 14-year-old girls and two 16-year-old girls have each been charged with:

  1. Second Degree Murder

They attended court at Old City Hall on Sunday, December 18, 2022, at 10 a.m., in room C114.

D/Sgt Terry Browne said they believe the group of girls were in the area by 10:30 p.m on December 17th and were involved in another altercation. The girls allegedly met on social media and were from different geographical areas of the city. Police said they won’t describe them as a gang and this point but said what they did is categorized as swarming. Three of the accused had prior contact with Toronto police. The other five were not known to authorities. According to CBC Toronto police Det.-Sgt. Terry Browne said investigators believe there was an attempted theft “likely of a liquor bottle”.

Update December 29th
One of eight teenage girls has been granted bail. Her conditions include not contacting the others charged, not possessing any weapons or a cell phone, and staying within provincial borders. She is not allowed to access the internet, with the exception of online learning, or leave where she is residing except to attend school.

Update January 10th
The victim has been identified as Ken Lee, 59, of Toronto.

Update January 27th
Two more girls were granted bail on January 27th. They will be released into the custody of their parents, and their conditions include that the girls do not make contact with the co-accused. They are also banned from using mobile phones or social media, and must remain in Ontario and surrender their passports. They are allowed to use the internet, but only for school work. 

Update January 31st
A Fourth teen has been granted bail. Her bail conditions are as follows:

  • She must remain in her home.
  • She cannot have a cell phone.
  • She cannot use the internet except for the purposes of school, meeting with lawyers, medical appointments or counselling.
  • No weapons.
  • She must not communicate with her co-accused.
  • She cannot leave the province of Ontario.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477). Photos and video footage of the incident can be directly uploaded to police here.