Toronto, Canada – A fourth teenage girl involved in the tragic incident that led to the death of a 59-year-old homeless man, Kenneth Lee, has admitted to manslaughter. Lee, who had been living in Toronto’s shelter system, succumbed to injuries sustained during a brutal stabbing incident in December 2020. The attack, described by authorities as a “swarming,” involved a group of eight girls ranging from 13 to 16 years old.
Following their quick apprehension shortly after the crime, these teens faced various charges related to the incident. Recently, a judge has decided that six of the accused will confront second-degree murder charges, while two will face the lesser accusation of manslaughter in court.
Prior to this latest admission, three other girls had already entered guilty pleas — two for manslaughter and another for assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon. The court proceedings around these admissions have been ongoing, with several sentencing submissions anticipated in the upcoming months.
On the night of the assault, investigations suggest that the teenagers had organized their meeting via social media platforms, coming together from various parts of the Greater Toronto Area. Detective Sgt. Terry Browne from the Toronto Police Service Homicide Squad highlighted the disturbing nature of the crime, noting that the motive appears to have been the theft of a bottle of alcohol from Lee.
This gruesome act catalyzed widespread shock among the community and law enforcement. “It’s extremely shocking and troublesome,” Browne said, reflecting on his long career and the uniqueness of this case.
The authorities’ revelations about the background of these girls pointed out that three of them had encountered police in the past, whereas the others had not. Due to the young age of the individuals involved, their identities remain protected under Canadian law.
The tragic death of Lee is part of a concerning trend in the city’s crime statistics. In 2022, Toronto reported 71 homicides, including 17 stabbing deaths. This was a slight decrease from the previous year, which saw 73 homicides, with stabbings accounting for 24 of those deaths.
As the community reels from this incident, the upcoming trials and sentencing procedures are anticipated to bring some degree of closure to this alarming case. Moreover, the incident raises broader questions about youth violence and the influences of social media on young people, stirring discussions on potential preventive measures and the need for vibrant community outreach and support systems.