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Morning Brew: Teen stabbed to death in Oshawa, CN train derailed in Pickering, new provincial Taser use guidelines, video of door-crashing ATM thieves released, Toronto to host MLS Cup at BMO Field

Posted by Jennifer Tse / March 31, 2010

University and College TorontoTwo separate teen stabbings rule the headlines this morning. A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death in front of a crowd of students after a fight with another student, allegedly over "a girl and 10 bucks." The victim, Mike "Biggie" McDonald, had had an ongoing rivalry with the 18-year-old suspect, who was arrested within minutes of the incident yesterday. Both were students at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School in Oshawa. Hours later, an unrelated teen stabbing occurred in Mississauga near an elementary school, with the 15-year-old victim now fighting for his life.

In Pickering yesterday, several cars of a CN Rail freight train carrying hazardous chemicals ran off the tracks. The derailment happened near Pickering GO station, prompting the evacuation of the entire station (and, of course, a major delay in service), but no leakage was found in the end. This isn't the first time a CN train has derailed, although it's not yet clear why this most recent incident occurred.

New Ontario guidelines to be implemented this summer will have police trying to avoid Tasering pregnant women, children, and the elderly. The guidelines also instruct officers to avoid cyclists or others in moving vehicles, as well as to aim away from the throat and genitals. Medical attention will be given to multiple stuns, loss of consciousness and head injuries as a result of falling, or if any of the guidelines are breached. All of this comes after a two-year review of Tasers and other conducted energy weapons in Ontario sparked by the death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski. Now I wonder what they have to say about deer...

Police are upping their search for the two door-crashing ATM thieves, releasing surveillance video of the late February incident to the public. The video shows the two suspects driving a black pickup truck right through the glass doors of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and back out again, with about $100,000 inside an ATM machine. You really have to see a ballsy move like that for yourself.

Finally, Toronto will host the MLS Cup this fall at BMO Field. The Nov. 21 date and 8:30 p.m. start time, not to mention the stadium's lakefront location, likely means that fans will have to layer up...and possibly prepare for snow. This month, the stadium's artificial turf will be replaced with natural grass, which should provide considerable help with drainage. Commissioner Don Garber is hopeful, stating, "Up here our fans are going to come out in rain, snow, sleet or sunshine."

Photo: "parabolic" by ronnie.yip, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Discussion

5 Comments

Xavier / March 31, 2010 at 09:09 am
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It looks like the tasering guidelines were written after watching the hangover
Jimmy / March 31, 2010 at 11:26 am
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The alleged murder suspect has been alive for 18 years, which would indicate that he is an adult. I am wondering why the name given to him at his birth by his parent(s) was not released to the media.

I wish him a wonderful experience in our penal system for what will hopefully be the rest of his life - a life that he has chosen to jettison without a shred of thought toward the consequences of his murderous actions.
Jennifer Tse replying to a comment from Jimmy / March 31, 2010 at 11:41 am
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For the record, Jimmy, I'm amused by both versions of this comment, even if blogTO's pottymouth filter didn't like one of them ;)
jimmy / March 31, 2010 at 11:44 am
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I like the 2nd one better. It's gentler snark.
agentsmith / March 31, 2010 at 01:14 pm
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"... avoid Tasering pregnant women, children, and the elderly. The guidelines also instruct officers to avoid cyclists or others in moving vehicles, as well as to aim away from the throat and genitals."

The fact that they actually had to be told not to do these things is kinda scary.

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