Alex Kvaskov | News Editor
Featured image: The stabbing occurred at 21 Boake Street, following an alleged argument about religion shortly before 1 AM on Tuesday morning. | Hassam Munir
York students did not have to wait long for a gruesome incident to occur, as a security bulletin landed in their inboxes around noon on Tuesday detailing a fatal stabbing in The Village earlier that morning.
Alp Efe, 28 years of age, was stabbed to death early Tuesday. Thirty-one-year-old York student Alijan Khan was arrested and has been charged with second-degree murder. Efe died of his injuries in hospital, where he was rushed to after an apparent argument over religion went out of of control. Efe
was not a York student.
Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu of Toronto Police Service says the victim and suspect knew each other. The Toronto police homicide unit has been assigned to the investigation.
The bulletin is York’s first of the fall semester and comes on the heels of numerous reports of thefts in and around Keele campus throughout the last year.
Fourth-year psychology student Tevin Shadd, who lives in The Village, says the stabbing has not changed his perception of safety in the community.
“York is essentially a city in its own right, however it lacks any policing or proper security, especially in The Village, as it’s regarded as off-campus and not under the jurisdiction of the school or any of its faculties,” he says.
Fourth-year linguistics and children’s studies student Ashley Bain says The Village is known for frequent robberies held at gunpoint or knifepoint, and she is not surprised.
“Oddly, I think we have become heavily desensitized by these types of violent altercations,” she says. “With the frequent emails concerning events that warn of potential threats in The Village, you tend to become numb to the idea.”
Eventually, such incidents become part of one’s reality, Bain suggests.
“As a female, I always take precautions despite hearing of the stabbing. So I will continue to take the steps to protect my safety and the safety of those around me,” Bain adds.
Third-year professional writing student James Zhan says safety issues in The Village have been hyped by media and some York students.
“I have been living in The Village for more than two years and I have not felt unsafe. Things happen everywhere, not just The Village,” he adds.
The murder rate for the York University Heights area ranks outside of the top 10 murder-prone areas in the city, according to CBC data.
On Tuesday evening, York emailed a letter of condolence to students, signed by Vice-President Academic and Provost Rhonda Lenton and Vice-President Finance and Administration Gary Brewer, encouraging students to speak with counselling services if they feel the need to talk to someone following the tragedy.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim. The loss of life, in a neighbourhood where we know many of our students and staff live, impacts our entire community,” reads the email.
York has enhanced support to students for safe transportation, housing and counselling, according to the email.
