TORONTO — On Sunday, June 22, at around noon, Toronto Police responded to a stabbing at a North York shelter near Wilson Avenue and Beverley Hills Drive. There, they found 53-year-old Roger Borges with life-threatening injuries. A 51‑year‑old man was also injured but is expected to recover. Borges later died in hospital.
Police arrested 72-year-old Jose Diaz, who remains in custody and is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. This marks Toronto’s 17th homicide of 2025, and stems from what police are describing as a targeted incident at a vulnerable-service location.
A Shelter Turned Crime Scene
This wasn’t a random act — it happened at a shelter serving vulnerable individuals, a space meant for safety and refuge.
As the city’s homicide rate climbs, the question becomes: where is violence safe? Even places designed around care aren’t exempt, and those who rely on them are not guaranteed protection.
Why This Event Matters
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Targeted violence in protective spaces — Shelters are community anchors; a killing here sends shockwaves through vulnerable populations.
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Perimeter vs. pattern — The location and nature of the attack suggest a planned act, not a stray fight or robbery attempt.
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Spikes in domestic and mental-health-related incidents — Rising case counts in shelter environments point to a broader need for trauma-informed responses.
What We Should Demand
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Shelter Safety Protocols — Immediate review and upgrade of security measures at high-risk facilities, including CCTV, panic alarms, and trained staff.
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Mental Health and Conflict Intervention — Fund programs that support stress relief, de-escalation, and crisis response inside shelter settings.
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Safe Referral Systems — Collaborate with shelters, police, and mental health workers to create safe “handoff zones” during high-risk situations.
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Public Accountability Reporting — Regular publication of crime data at social-service sites to improve transparency and trust.
Beyond Crime Counts
A homicide in a shelter raises urgent questions about how we protect the most vulnerable. It challenges us to expand community safety beyond streets — into the places where stability is meant to be found.
If fundamental safety isn’t guaranteed in shelters, then entire communities pay the price.
🛡️ “Watch the Block” is GTA Weekly’s weekly editorial series on community safety. Stay informed — safer streets start with informed communities. Follow us @GTAWeeklyNews for more stories that matter. #GTAWeekly #GTAToday #WatchTheBlock
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