Man Dies From Injuries Days After Alleged Panhandler Stabbing
Posted August 11, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A man is dead Saturday because of an argument over spare change that turned violent.
Ross Hammond, 32, was rushed to hospital at around 1am Thursday after a wild brawl with a group of alleged panhandlers near Queen and Niagara.
It apparently started after a man asked him and a friend for cash, and when they refused police say Hammond was stabbed. It’s alleged three other panhandlers joined in the fight, which spilled out onto the street, snarling traffic in front of as many as 30 witnesses.
“It was like a dog fight,” recalled Taj Desilvia, who witnessed the carnage. “They were throwing each other all over the place, on cars, the street, the sidewalk, in front of the street car, everything. The traffic wasn’t moving because they were having a fight right in the middle of Queen Street.”
A person who knows the man who allegedly stabbed Hammond claims he’s mentally ill.
Two men and two women were subsequently arrested and police closed a section of Queen St. for several hours while they tried to sort out what happened. One of the alleged female attackers was also hurt. Another of the suspects is wanted in the United States.
A man is dead Saturday because of an argument over spare change that turned violent.
Ross Hammond, 32, was rushed to hospital at around 1am Thursday after a wild brawl with a group of alleged panhandlers near Queen and Niagara.
It apparently started after a man asked him and a friend for cash, and when they refused police say Hammond was stabbed. It’s alleged three other panhandlers joined in the fight, which spilled out onto the street, snarling traffic in front of as many as 30 witnesses.
“It was like a dog fight,” recalled Taj Desilvia, who witnessed the carnage. “They were throwing each other all over the place, on cars, the street, the sidewalk, in front of the street car, everything. The traffic wasn’t moving because they were having a fight right in the middle of Queen Street.”
A person who knows the man who allegedly stabbed Hammond claims he’s mentally ill.
Two men and two women were subsequently arrested and police closed a section of Queen St. for several hours while they tried to sort out what happened. One of the alleged female attackers was also hurt. Another of the suspects is wanted in the United States.
“She was just covered in blood and she was cut on the arm,” Desilvia adds. “I feel kind of apathetic about it because it’s happening in so many places around here … this is something you have to deal with if you live downtown.”
“She was just covered in blood and she was cut on the arm,” Desilvia adds. “I feel kind of apathetic about it because it’s happening in so many places around here … this is something you have to deal with if you live downtown.”
In custody are 21-year-old Douglas Fresh, 21-year-old Nicole Kish, 22-year-old Sarah McDermit and 21-year-old Jeremy Wooley. All are charged with aggravated assault, though police say it’s likely murder charges could be laid as early as next week.
In custody are 21-year-old Douglas Fresh, 21-year-old Nicole Kish, 22-year-old Sarah McDermit and 21-year-old Jeremy Wooley. All are charged with aggravated assault, though police say it’s likely murder charges could be laid as early as next week.
“I suspect murder charges will be pending against these individuals in the next few days,” said Toronto Police Homicide Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux.
Hammond, who was married and originally from St. Catharines, succumbed to his wounds and died late Saturday afternoon. Homicide detectives have taken over the case, Toronto’s 51st murder of 2007.
“I suspect murder charges will be pending against these individuals in the next few days,” said Toronto Police Homicide Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux.
Hammond, who was married and originally from St. Catharines, succumbed to his wounds and died late Saturday afternoon. Homicide detectives have taken over the case, Toronto’s 51st murder of 2007.
