A second suspect has been charged with murder in relation to a fatal stabbing that took place in Etobicoke last year. The incident unfolded on September 12, 2024, when emergency responders were dispatched to the area of Lake Shore Boulevard West and Islington Avenue shortly after 6 a.m., following a 911 call made by a passerby.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officers learned that an altercation had transpired involving multiple individuals. The violent incident resulted in two people sustaining injuries. One of the individuals, identified as 36-year-old Jesse Christian Halvorsen, suffered life-threatening injuries and was quickly transported to a hospital by paramedics. Unfortunately, he later succumbed to his injuries.
The police confirmed Halvorsen as the victim of the stabbing, which has garnered significant attention in the community. The second person injured during the altercation was identified as Shawn Downs-Abbott, who also sustained stab wounds but managed to flee the scene prior to police arrival. Downs-Abbott was later found and received medical attention for his injuries, which were determined to be non-life threatening.
Following the investigation into the stabbing, Shawn Downs-Abbott was subsequently charged with second-degree murder, implicating him further in the circumstances surrounding Halvorsen's death. The case did not conclude with Downs-Abbott’s charges, as ongoing investigations continued to unfold.
On October 29, 2025, Michael Jones, a 61-year-old man with no fixed address, was arrested and has also been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the incident. His arrest adds another layer to the case, suggesting that multiple individuals may have played a role in the tragic events of that September morning. Jones is scheduled to appear in court on the upcoming Thursday to face the charges against him.
The case highlights the serious implications of violent altercations and the consequences they can have on individuals and the community at large. Investigators continue to probe into the circumstances of the incident, looking for further evidence and witnesses to build a comprehensive understanding of what transpired.
