Toronto police say two suspects are facing various charges, including attempted murder, after five people were injured at and near a house party in the city’s downtown late Thursday.
Const. David Hopkinson told Global News officers and paramedics were called to a property on Madison Avenue, north of Bloor Street West and east of Spadina Road, just after 11:40 p.m. with reports of a stabbing.
“We kept getting information coming in, but when our officers arrived on scene they located three victims suffering from stab wounds.”
Police said in an update Friday afternoon that a 15-year-old girl and a 19-year-old man were denied entry to a private party.
“They both forced their way in, slashing and stabbing people inside as well as outside as they were leaving,” officers said in a statement.
Two more victims were subsequently found at the scene suffering from “other injuries.”
Toronto Paramedics told Global News Friday morning that all five people were taken to hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuries. Police later said all but one of the victims are in stable condition.
Shortly after the initial call, Hopkinson said a sixth victim walked into a Toronto hospital and collapsed with critical injuries. He said hospital staff were working to treat the victim, however it is still unconfirmed if that victim’s injuries are related to the house party incident.
“They started arguing … a couple guys started stumbling, and after that just screaming, yelling,” Steven Thonson, who witnessed part of the incident, said.
Chris Hasslet, the director of operations for the nearby Madison Avenue Pub, told Global News a victim walked to the pub for help after the incident. However, he placed blame on a nearby house party.
“We just called 911 to get an ambulance … nothing happened here at the actual pub,” he said.
Police said a 15-year-old Richmond Hill girl, who can’t be identified due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and 19-year-old Jacob Alves were charged with attempted murder, dangerous weapons, three counts of aggravated assault and three counts of assault with a weapon.
Both were scheduled to appear in Toronto courtrooms Friday morning.
Anyone who was in the area at the time and has surveillance or dash-cam video were asked to call police at 416-808-5300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.