18-year-old faces 1st-degree murder charge after boy, 16, stabbed to death in Windsor

The latest:

• A 16-year-old boy was stabbed in the area of Tecumseh Road E. between Mercer Street and McDougall Street just before 6 p.m. Sunday.

• The killing marked the second homicide in Windsor of 2026.

• Police say a suspect was arrested a short time later on Goyeau Street. 

• Windsor police provided an overview of the homicide investigation around 2 p.m. on Monday.

• Police say an 18-year-old man is facing first-degree murder charges following the fatal stabbing.

An 18-year-old man is facing first-degree murder charges in the fatal stabbing on a 16-year-old boy in Windsor, police say.

The stabbing happened in the area of Tecumseh Road E. between Mercer Street and McDougall Street just before 6 p.m. on Sunday.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, Windsor police’s Investigation Services Supt. Paolo Di Carlo said the teenager “lost his life in a senseless act of violence.”

Officers responded to the 300 block of Tecumseh Road E. for a report of a person with a weapon, and found the boy  “suffering from a life-threatening injury consistent with the stab wound,” Di Carlo said.

He said officers immediately started life-saving measures, including CPR, until emergency medical services arrived.

“The victim was then transported to hospital where he was later pronounced deceased,” Di Carlo said.

The boy’s death marked the second homicide recorded in Windsor in 2026, he said.

Investigation remains ‘active’

According to Di Carlo, with the help of witnesses, officers were able to track down and arrest a suspect within 15 minutes at a residence in the 1500 block of Goyeau Street.

In addition to a charge of first-degree murder, Di Carlo said the 18-year-old is also facing charges of uttering death threats and wearing a face mask in the commission of an offence.

Di Carlo said police understand that incidents like this, particularly involving young people, are deeply concerning for the community. But he’s assuring residents “this was a targeted incident, and there is no ongoing threat to public safety.”

Di Carlo said the investigation remains  “active,” but there are details officers are not able to release at this time to protect its integrity.

The major crimes unit is investigating. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the unit, or Crime Stoppers.

‘It’s just unwarranted,’ mayor says of killing

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says he’s disturbed by the incident and feels terrible for the victim and his family.

“I think it shows that young people [can] act out in a way that from zero to 100 really, really quick,” he said.

“It’s just unwarranted, it’s unnecessary and we need to make sure we’re working as parents, as educators, as community members making sure that we’re letting young people know what the pathway is to deal with grievances that don’t resort to firearms, weapons and violence.”