A six-year-old child is in critical condition after suffering multiple stab wounds in a shocking attack in downtown Halifax.
According to Halifax Regional Police, officers responded to reports of a stabbing around 1:20 p.m. Sunday in the 1900 block of Barrington Street. Upon arrival, they discovered the young victim with severe injuries. The child was rushed to the IWK Health Centre by emergency responders.
Authorities quickly apprehended a 19-year-old woman at the scene. Investigators believe she had no prior connection to the child. She has been charged with aggravated assault, and police continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Elliott Chorny is scheduled to appear in court Monday morning,
Officials are urging anyone who may have captured footage in the area at the time to come forward to assist in the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston addressed the tragedy on social media Sunday evening, voicing his deep sorrow and frustration.
“I struggle to fully express my outrage and sadness at learning about this attack on an innocent child in Halifax,” he wrote. “The person who did this is clearly a threat to the public and should be kept locked behind bars.”
Police gave no further detail about the incident, prompting pushback from journalists and others.
“We don’t even know whether the child victim is male or female,” National Post columnist Chris Selley said in an X post. “We do know the alleged perpetrator is female. Why?”
Selley and others expressed frustration at a lack of transparency when it comes to both police and media informing the public during these type of events.
“If Canadian news media don’t rebound, in 20 years I fear we won’t even get press releases about this stuff,” Selley said.