Stabbing victim fighting for his life after latest Yonge-Dundas Square violence

© Provided by Toronto Sun Toronto cops gather evidence after Dwayne Taylor, 21, was gunned down in Yonge-Dundas Square on July 31, 2005. (Sun files)

A man was critically injured in a stabbing Tuesday night at Yonge-Dundas Square — a city-owned property in the heart of Toronto that has been plagued by violence over the years.

Toronto Police say the violent assault took place around 7.20 pm.

Police noted on social media that both the assailant and the victim initially fled, but a suspect was quickly taken into custody and the victim was found with multiple stab wounds.

The victim was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, but there has been no update Wednesday on the stabbed man’s condition.

Yonge-Dundas Square was in the news earlier this week as the scene of a YouTube video being investigated as a hate crime.

The video shows a man advocating for the deaths of two religious groups.

Hate speech and violence have become the distinguishing characteristics of Yonge-Dundas Square (YDS) over its brief history.

And it’s a no-go zone at night, as are so many public spaces in the city, in part due to the mentally ill and addicted people who wander the streets and sleep rough.

The area dubbed the Times Square of Toronto was envisioned as a vibrant public gathering spot when it opened in May of 2003.

But not long after YDS was launched with great fanfare came the senseless crime that for many marks the end of Toronto’s “innocence.”

That was the killing of 15-year-old Jane Creba, a girl out shopping with family who was caught in the crossfire between rival gangs and shot dead near the Eaton Centre.

© Joe Warmington Toronto Police at the scene of a stabbing at Yonge and Dundas Sts. on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021.

The brazen display of disregard for human life that destroyed Creba’s family and loved ones cast a permanent pall over the entire area.

Other shootings over the years, including one in the mall that killed two and injured six in 2012, and stabbings have just added to the air of menace.

The supervised injection site beside YDS on Victoria St. hasn’t helped the general environment.

Last fall, an anti-vax demonstration turned violent. And in 2019, during the last in-person Pride before the pandemic, far-right hate groups caused chaos inside the mall.

Yonge-Dundas is the busiest intersection in Canada.

When the square opened it was viewed as the place where community celebrations, outdoor arts events and many other activities could take place; somehow it became ground zero for fringe views, criminal behaviour and general chaos.

The one-acre square belongs to the City and is the responsibility of a Board of Management; their mandate and structure are overseen by City Council.

The three year strategic plan for the square notes there has been a decline   in community-based organizations hosting festivals and family friendly events there, partly because it’s so difficult to get downtown (by car or transit).

Another reason given: perceptions of safety in the square.

Asked for comment, City Councillor for Ward 13, Robin Buxton Potts, said in a statement that community safety was a top priority.

She voiced the city’s support for such safety measures as the Downtown East Action Plan, “that is a response to the heightened need for support particular in the Yonge and Dundas area,” and for such other programs as Community Crisis Response Program, the collaborative FOCUS (Furthering Our Community by Uniting Services) program and SafeTO.

A statement from Mayor John Tory’s office also cited the services and agencies available, and said in part, “The Downtown East Action Plan was introduced with the Mayor’s support to help address a number of complex challenges in the area related to poverty, homelessness, housing, community safety, mental health and substance use, particularly opioid related overdoses.

“We know that work is continuing and will be needed as we continue to reopen.”

The statement continued, “ Yonge-Dundas Square has successfully hosted many major events in the last few weeks including a film screening by Edward Burtynsky and the Pride Parade and celebrations this past weekend.

“It is safe and we have to strive to ensure we make it, and all parts of our city, safer.”

lbraun@postmedia.com