One woman is dead after being stabbed in a Mount Albert house this afternoon, while two children and another woman are in hospital with severe injuries.
The male suspect in the attack was shot dead during the altercation with York Regional Police on Ridge Gate Crescent.
The attack took place at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, according to York Regional Police spokesperson Const. Laura Nicolle, who answered media questions at the crime scene this evening.
"The suspect we believe was involved in the stabbing is deceased. We still have an ongoing investigation, so there will be a significant police presence, but there is no safety concern for anyone else in this neighbourhood," Nicolle said.
Details of what exactly happened at the house located in the quiet East Gwillimbury neighbourhood are still sketchy. Nicolle said there were altercations both in the driveway and inside the residence.
Police could not confirm the relationship between the suspect and the two women, infant and young child.
Nicolle did not provide further details about the condition of the victims after being rushed to an unspecified hospital or clarify if the child and infant had also been stabbed.
"Obviously, this is a terrible incident and our thoughts are with them while they are in hospital," she said.
"When someone is injured, especially when it's a young child and an infant like this, the priority is to get them to hospital to start treatment. So it will take us some time to determine who exactly we have and what the connection is."
She said it was also too early to say what the motive behind the stabbing might have been.
Ontario's Special Investigation Unit, which handles all deaths or injuries involving police officers, has launched an investigation into the death of the male suspect. Nicolle said that any details about how the suspect was killed during his encounter with police would need to come from the SIU.
Many in the neighbourhood were in shock following the stabbing.
Marco Castillo, who didn't know the residents of the house, said, "You would never think something like this would happen in this neighbourhood, I guess you never know."
Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard anything to call 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7865, or email [email protected], or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
