A teenager is dead after being stabbed near Woodbine Park late Saturday evening.
Homicide investigators say paramedics were flagged down in the area of Eastern Avenue and Coxwell Avenue, just after 10 p.m., where they found a teen boy inside a nearby McDonald’s restaurant suffering from stab wounds.
Paramedics say he sustained life-threatening injuries and transported him to a trauma centre where he was later pronounced dead.
A video sent anonymously to CityNews shows a chaotic scene outside the fast-food restaurant and quickly spills inside. The young teen is seen running towards the front counter, followed by multiple suspects attacking him, who then turn around and walk out.
The incident happened just steps away from Woodbine Beach Park, where a weekend-long cultural festival was being held.
On Sunday, Det. Sgt. Alan Bartlett told reporters that investigators are still working to confirm the identity of the boy, adding that the person, or persons, responsible are still outstanding and they would provide suspect descriptions once they become available.
Bartlett described the crime scene as “extensive,” adding that there were “literally hundreds of people” who were in the area at the time of the stabbing and that there is “a lot” of surveillance video that police are going through.
“I would encourage you if you saw something, if you recorded something on your device, if you know something, to please contact the Toronto Police Service,” Bartlett said.
“These sorts of things shouldn’t be happening,” said one man who lives nearby and heard some of the commotion. “It leaves a scar, not only on family and friends, but on everyone.”
Others in the area who spoke to CityNews say this violent incident hits too close to home.
“This is a place where you bring your family to sit down and have food, and I have a son, so it is something really disturbing to me,” said this man, who did not want to give his name.
“A terrible tragedy when a young person loses their life,” said another. “It’s horrible for the community.”
Rhianne Campbell contributed to this story