An American man was beaten to death in Toronto early Saturday morning in what police say seems to be a “completely unprovoked” attack.
The 26-year-old man was in Toronto with a group of men, all from the U.S., celebrating a bachelor party in a bar named Blind Tiger in the city’s Little Italy neighbourhood. The group left the bar and were confronted by seven to nine males outside and, according to police, were egged into a fight at about 2:25 a.m.
“They advised they didn’t want to be in a fight and were just having a good time but at that time our deceased was punched and repeatedly kicked in the head,” said Det. Rob North on Saturday morning.
According to North, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Friends of the victim told CTV Toronto he was from Maryland and was engaged to be married.
“It’s a tragedy. People come up here. They’re out for a good time, and somehow get caught up in something they have nothing to do with,” said North.
Police have released descriptions of two of the suspects. One is described as a white male roughly 26 or 27 years old. He was last seen wearing a black top and black pants.
The other suspect is described as a white male also between 26 and 27 years old. He is described as having a full beard and a build “like a football player.” He was last seen wearing a black shirt and skinny black pants.
Meanwhile, police spent the day at the scene collecting video evidence.
“I saw a bunch of drunk people who looked like they’d pick a fight with anyone they saw,” said Lawrence Temple, who witnessed a few moments of the brawl. “I saw a man being kicked. He was being kicked by a couple of guys surrounding him.”
Police say at this time the motive for the attack is unknown but believe it was unprovoked.
“All we know is that a group of males left the bar and were confronted by another group,” said North.
Police are working to notify the victim’s next-of-kin but have said that at least one of the men in the bachelor party was a member of the U.S. armed forces.
