Kingston, Ontario — A tragic outbreak of violence near a safe consumption site and surrounding encampment in Kingston has resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left another critically wounded. The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning, has sent shockwaves through the community and prompted calls from local leadership for decisive action.
According to the Kingston Police, the assault took place near the city’s Consumption Treatment Services (CTS) and Integrated Care Hub (ICH) located at 661 Montreal Street. Authorities described the attack as severe, involving an edged weapon and blunt force trauma. All three victims were swiftly transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries; however, two of the victims later succumbed to their wounds.
The local police were alerted to the ongoing violence around 10:40 a.m., which eventually culminated in an hours-long standoff. The alleged assailant was arrested near Belle Park shortly before 5 p.m., apprehended by the police without further incident.
Kingston Police Constable Anthony Colangeli remarked on the resolution of the standoff, noting the peaceful surrender of the suspect as the best possible outcome under the horrific circumstances.
In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement swiftly moved to secure the area, focusing their investigation on multiple crime scenes around the vicinity of Montreal Street, which was temporarily closed between Hickson Avenue and Railway Street. Local residents and visitors were urged by police to avoid the area to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
An eyewitness from the nearby encampment provided a chilling account of the event, describing a brutal attack initiated by a man striking another man to the ground, followed by multiple stabbings and subsequent blows to the head with what was possibly a hatchet or hammer. This tragic scene escalated as the assailant also attacked others who attempted to intervene.
The violence has stirred Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson to advocate forcefully for the closure of the safe injection site and the clearing of the encampment. In a statement released Thursday, Mayor Paterson expressed his horror and frustration over the incident, labeling it as a “senseless act of violence” that underscored the safety issues he believes are associated with the facility and its surroundings.
“For nearly three years, we have discussed the hazards present here, and it is time we take decisive action,” Paterson said. His sentiments were echoed by other local stakeholders, including business owners who reported increasing disruptions linked to the encampment’s residents.
As the Integrated Care Hub announced a temporary halt to its operations due to the police investigation, Mayor Paterson underscored the urgent need to rethink the current approach to supporting the community’s most vulnerable. “We cannot stand by and watch more tragedies unfold. It’s crucial we find a better way to provide necessary treatment and housing solutions,” he added.
This tragedy has sparked a broader conversation about the role and management of safe consumption sites and their integration with community safety and support systems. As Kingston grapples with these complex issues, the community remains in mourning, reflecting on the lives lost and the steps necessary to prevent future violence. The ongoing investigation aims to bring more clarity to the circumstances surrounding this devastating event, looking for lessons and solutions in its wake.