A woman has died and three other people — including two young children — were in hospital following a stabbing in East Gwillimbury, Ont., police said Saturday as they announced the suspect in the case had also died.
Officers were called about a stabbing on Saturday afternoon, said Const. Laura Nicolle of the York Regional Police, and arrived on scene to find one woman dead.
“We have since learned that there are three other people who have been rushed to hospital with significant injuries,” she said. “That is an infant, a young child and a second adult female.”
Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating the death of the suspect, a 37-year-old man the Special Investigations Unit has said was shot by two police officers.
The SIU said when officers arrived at the home, they found a woman dead at the front door.
As they made their way into the residence, the SIU said, the officers became involved in an “interaction” with the man.
“Two officers discharged their firearms and the man was struck. He was pronounced deceased at the scene,” the SIU said in a news release.
The SIU is automatically called in to investigate incidents involving police in which someone is killed, seriously injured or accused of sexual assault.
It will probe police involvement in the case and the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, while York Regional Police will investigate what happened before officers arrived.
Nicolle said police don’t believe anybody else was involved in the incident.
“We do want to make sure the community knows there is no ongoing public safety concern,” she said. “The suspect we believe was involved in the stabbings is deceased.”
Nicolle said the investigation is ongoing nonetheless, and a heavy police presence is expected to remain in place in the area for some time.
Local officials, meanwhile, rallied around the community where the stabbing took place.
“My thoughts and prayers are extended to the victims, family and friends, and to the community of Mount Albert,” said East Gwillimbury Mayor Virginia Hackson. “I am shocked and saddened by this tragic incident which happened earlier today.”
The local provincial legislator, Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney, also offered her sympathies.
“My heart breaks for the victims of the horrible tragedy in Mount Albert,” she tweeted Saturday. “My thoughts are with the victims and the first responders. Mount Albert is a strong community and will come together to support each other through the days ahead.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 6, 2021.
Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press
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