Teenage girl gang formed on social media charged with second-degree murder of homeless man

A group of eight teenage girls was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after a homeless man was stabbed to death over the weekend. The girls, aged 13 to 16, were stopped by police in the area of the attack shortly after a 59-year-old man was assaulted in downtown Toronto. The group have been remanded into custody after appearing in front of a judge earlier this week. 

Detective Sargeant Terry Browne from TPS Homicide & Missing Persons Unit said the victim had been tended to on location but had died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Addressing the press, D Sgt Browne said: "On Sunday, December 18, just after midnight, emergency medical services staff were flagged down by a group of individuals who were reporting an assault that had just occurred to an individual in and around the area of York University Avenue.

"An emergency medical services staff commenced medical intervention, they realised the victim had suffered what we'd describe as stab wounds.

"As a result of that, the individual was transported to a nearby hospital and unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. "

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He added: "As the investigation unfolded, it was learned very early on that the suspects involved in this were being described as eight young females and, as a result of quick work by officers in 52 division, these females were able to be located and apprehended, and were subsequently brought to 52 division were they faced the charge, and are facing the charge, of second-degree murder in relation to the death of a 59-year-old male who was a resident of Toronto."

Officers reported having recovered a series of weapons when they stopped the girls but did not clarify who those belonged to.

D Sgt Browne said three of the suspects are aged 13, three are aged 14 and two are 16. He noted three of them had "prior contact with the police."

He urged members of the public who were in downtown Toronto on the evening of December 18 to come forward to help the police gather evidence.

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Mr Browne added the group are believed to have been involved "in an altercation before the stabbing."

The victim of the attack, whom D Sgt Browne called a "swarming", has yet to be named as police seek to contact his next of kin.

The 59-year-old had only recently entered the shelter system after a period of "hard luck."

The gang, who all live in various areas of Toronto, are believed to have met on social media earlier this year.

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Speaking to Canadian show Here and Now later, Mr Browne added: "We really can't see what the [connection] is with these eight young ladies right now. But our sense is, right now, that there's probably some sort of social media component to it."

The identities of the girls cannot be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The group appeared at Old City Hall in the early hours of Sunday and were remanded into custody.

They will once again appear in front of a judge on December 29.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said he was "deeply disturbed" by the details of the case.

Mr Tory said: "Everyone in our city deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I am so saddened to know that a man has lost his life in this way.

"I am extremely troubled by the young age of those accused and by the number of people allegedly involved in this murder. My thoughts are with this man's friends and all those who knew him as they mourn his loss."