Thread by @rk_thorpe

This was an absolutely horrific weekend for crime in Winnipeg. By far the worst I’ve seen in my career. Police said you have to go back about five years to find a spate of violence like this.

Here’s a rundown of what happened and what we know (it's going to be long):

In total, three people are dead (including a 14 year old) and four are injured (including a child under the age of two) in three separate incidents.

Winnipeg’s homicide total for 2019 now sits at 36.

The carnage began with two stabbings at a Halloween party on the 100 block of Kinver Avenue Saturday night.

I’m told a teenage girl threw a party at her father’s home while he was away and things got out of hand.

Someone sprayed bear mace at the party and in the ensuing commotion two people were stabbed—a 14 year old girl and an 18 year old young woman. They were both taken to hospital.

The 14 year old has died. The 18 year old has been upgraded to stable condition.

No charges have been announced, but police say they took a number of people into custody. Some of them are witnesses, others potential suspects.

Hours later, police were called to the scene of a double homicide in a back lane near Ross Avenue and Isabel Street. Two men were found suffering from “serious upper-body injuries” and were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Police have not confirmed the cause of death, but I’m told by two sources it was a shooting. The victims were known to police.

At the scene, gang graffiti tags could be seen all around. The first photo shows a Manitoba Warriors tag. Gangs often tag areas to claim their territory.

13 = M (the 13th letter of the alphabet); 23 = W. This was found not far from the scene.

There was also this tag. It was scribbled on the side of a house. The paint looked quite fresh.

While I can’t make out everything in the tag, there is a reference to at least two street gangs:

BSK = B Side Killers; MWK = Manitoba Warrior Killers.

I’m told the B Side Killers are “bitter rivals” of both the Mad Cowz and the African Mafia street gangs. The Manitoba Warriors are rivals of most other street gangs.

It seems likely the double homicide was a gang hit.

Then at 3:15 p.m. Sunday there was a shooting on the 400 block of Flora Avenue. Police say a suspect approached a home and discharged at least one round from a firearm. It’s believed to have been a shotgun.

Four people were hit—three adults and a child under the age of two. They were all taken to hospital. Police say they believe all of the victims will survive.

I can't say I've ever covered a shooting where one of the victims is an infant. I hope I never have to again.

No arrests have been announced, but there was a significant police presence on Main Street Sunday evening that was likely connected to the search for a suspect or suspects.

Winnipeg is now five homicides away from tying its worst year on record—41 slayings in 2011.

All of the above information, and more, in tomorrow’s edition of the Free Press.

That’s it from me.

-30-

Slight correction: It’s actually three dead and five wounded—not four as I reported above.

Sorry folks, it’s been a long day.