Bail Granted to 1 of 8 Teen Girls Charged in Fatal Toronto ‘Swarm’ Stabbing

The Toronto Police Service emblem is seen during a press conference at TPS headquarters, in Toronto on May 17, 2022. The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov

An Ontario court has granted bail to one of the eight teen girls charged with second-degree murder after allegedly swarming and stabbing a man to death in downtown Toronto.

On Dec. 29, the teen was brought to court in handcuffs for the bail decision from Justice Maria Sirivar, who appeared by video conference.

The judge set bail at $9,500. The conditions of her bail include that she is required to stay at home except when she is attending school or when she is accompanied by one of her two sureties. She must surrender her passport and is not allowed to contact any of her co-accused. She is restricted from using the internet.

The identities of all eight girls are protected under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Toronto police said the suspects include three 13-year-olds, three 14-year-olds, and two 16-year-olds.

The other suspects are scheduled to appear in a youth court for bail hearing on Jan. 5, 2023.

The victim, a 59-year-old man, was assaulted and stabbed near York Street and University Avenue in downtown Toronto on Dec. 18, at roughly 12:17 a.m., the police said. The man suffered life-threatening injuries, and was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the hospital.

In a press conference, Toronto Police Detective Sergeant Terry Browne said the accused girls came from “various parts of the city” and had probably “met each other through social media.” He said it was unclear why the girls chose to meet that evening and why they selected downtown Toronto as the rendezvous.

Browne said he wouldn’t describe the group of teens as “a gang,” but added that what is alleged to have occurred “would be consistent with what we traditionally call a swarming or swarming type of behaviour.” 

Browne said prior to their interaction with the victim, the eight young women were “involved in an altercation earlier.” He said both interactions “involved what would be described as criminal behaviour,” and police are looking for witnesses.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article