Thursday, September 12, 2013

Fatal stabbing in North York

TORONTO - A 62-year-old man was found slain in front of a home in a middle class North York neighbourhood Thursday, prompting a nearby high school to lock its doors just as students arrived for classes, Toronto Police said.

Officers responded to 37 Francine Dr., near Leslie St. and McNicoll Ave., around 9 a.m. and located the mortally wounded victim on the front porch.

“He appeared to be suffering from stab wounds,” Const. Wendy Drummond said.

The man was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead, she said.

Police immediately suspected the man had been murdered and placed A.Y. Jackson Secondary School, located directly across the street from where he was found, in “hold and secure mode” while officers searched the area with help from the canine unit.

The Toronto District School Board also posted a security guard outside the high school’s front doors.

But the safety precaution, which meant students could leave but nobody was allowed to enter the building, was lifted shortly before the lunch hour once police determined there was no longer a potential threat.

However, the two-storey brick house and a small section of the surrounding area remained cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape throughout the day.

Officers went door to door talking to residents of the Hillcrest Village neighbourhood, many of whom were shocked by the police presence in their normally quiet community.

Homicide detectives stopped by the scene for a brief look around and soon after officially deemed the man’s death a murder, the city’s 41st killing of the year.

The victim’s name was not released.

“His identity is being withheld pending notification of his next-of-kin,” Const. Victor Kwong explained.

No arrests had been made and no suspect description was immediately available.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted by the coroner in the coming days to determine the official cause of death, police said.

Investigators are appealing for help from the public.

Anyone with information, or who was in the area between 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., is urged to call Det. Kate Beveridge at 416-808-7400, ext. 77422, or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
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