Family of Toronto man killed by 8 teen girls in swarming attack slams justice system

The family of a man experiencing homelessness when he was allegedly swarmed and killed by a group of eight teenage girls has issued a statement strongly criticizing the youth criminal justice system.

Toronto police say 59-year-old Ken Lee was swarmed and stabbed just after midnight on Dec. 18 in the area of York Street, University Avenue and Front Street West. He was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.

Eight teenage girls — three 13-year-olds, three 14-year-olds, and two 16-year-olds — have been charged with second-degree murder in Lee’s death. Police said the teen girls met on social media and congregated in downtown Toronto.

The girls cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) provisions because they are all under 18. Some of the teens already appeared in court, where dates for their bail hearings were set.

RELATED: Homeless community expresses safety concerns after man allegedly killed by teens identified

One teen girl is set to appear in court for a bail hearing on Jan. 20, two others on Jan. 25, and another on Jan. 27. Another girl has already been released on bail.

On Thursday, Lee’s family said the current criminal justice system protects the young suspects but does very little to help the victims or members of the public.

“For serious crimes, these perpetrators should not have any privacy rights or bail,” Lee’s family wrote in the statement.

“The public should be aware of who these individuals are to protect themselves. The perpetrators must be named in order to bring forth more victims, witnesses and evidence.”

Lee’s family questioned the intention of the YCJA, noting that if the suspects aren’t identified and later released on bail, it’s a detriment to the community.

“As a parent, my question to the lawmakers who wrote the Youth Criminal Justice Act is, how are you protecting my child if the perpetrator cannot be named and she could be in my child’s school or class?”

Toronto Police are investigating after a man was killed following a violent incident in the downtown core on Dec. 18, 2022. CityNews/Ken Townsend.

Police have said the girls live in homes across the GTA. Three of the girls had previous interactions with police, while five others did not.

Earlier this week, Lee was remembered as quiet and kind, as the case left several in the homeless community worried about their safety.

One homeless woman said Lee’s death had left many homeless individuals concerned about their safety.

“There are people out there that are afraid,” said Lynn Walker, who lives in a tent near a popular botanical garden in Toronto. “They’re nervous about being out in tents, being on the street and violence happening. It’s getting worse and worse every day out here.”

Lee’s family said he was in the homeless shelter system after falling on tough times but was making an effort to get his life back on track.

“… Ken was a kind soul with a heart of gold. He was not in the system due to alcohol or drug abuse,” the family added.

“He was a man with pride who had fallen and wanted to learn to stand up on his own, knowing that he always had his family behind him. Maybe in due time, we will share more with you.”

With files from The Canadian Press