Eight teen girls have been charged with the murder of a 59-year-old man stabbed in downtown Toronto

Eight teen girls have been charged with the murder of a 59-year-old man

Toronto - Eight teenaged girls have been charged with murder after a 59-year-old man was stabbed to death in downtown Toronto over the weekend, in the York Street, University Avenue area police said.

The incident happened just after midnight on Sunday at a plaza near the city's main rail station. The man, who was not identified, was pronounced dead at a hospital early on Sunday, Toronto Police Service said in a statement.

Three 13-year-old girls, three 14-year-old girls and two 16-year-old girls each have been charged with second-degree murder, police added. The attack began when one of the girls tried to take alcohol from the man, witnesses said.

Detective Sergeant Terry Browne said that a number of weapons were secured from these individuals and that it was reported that said individuals had been involved in a separate altercation earlier in the evening.

The suspects have made their first appearance in court and were remanded in custody, police told reporters. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 29.

The police are asking for help from the public who may have information relating to the incident.

It is alleged that:

• a man had been assaulted and stabbed by a group of teenage girls
• the man was transported to hospital by medics with life-threatening injuries
• he was pronounced deceased at the hospital a short time later
• eight teenage girls were arrested nearby