Kingston care hub closed for safety review after deadly attacks - Action News
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Ottawa

Kingston care hub closed for safety review after deadly attacks

The site was blocked off on Sept. 12, following a series of attacks at an encampment that left two men dead and a woman with life-threatening injuries. It's not clear when it will re-open.

Officials say residents will be allowed to gather personal belongings during the 'extended closure'

Tents hung with police tape can be seen through a fence. It's a sunny day.
Officials say the encampment in Kingston Ont.'s Belle Park will remain fenced off pending a safety review after a series of deadly attacks in the area on Sept. 12. (Dan Taekema/CBC)

A police homicide investigation at theencampment surrounding Kingston Ont.'s Integrated Care Hub (ICH)is complete, but officials say the area will remain fenced off as part of an "extended closure" while a safety review is carried out.

It's not clear when the barriers will be removed.

Police and the organizations that run the ICH issued a joint media release on Wednesday evening, describingthe timeline as "undefined," adding that they would share a date for reopening once it had been confirmed.

"The additional closure time will be used to review operations and safety/security matters of the building and area," the release stated.

"The services of the ICH are crucial to support the most vulnerable in our community and it will reopen and reopen safely."

The site was blocked off on Sept. 12,followingattacks that left two men dead and a woman with life-threatening injuries.

Residents of the encampment have described the men who died as "incredibly selfless."

A group of paramedics stand in the foreground. Down the street is a circle of police officers surrounded by caution tape and cruisers.
There was a heavy paramedic and police presence on Montreal Street in Kingston, Ont. on Sept. 12, 2024, following a series of attacks that left two people dead and a third with life-threatening injuries. (Dan Taekema/CBC)

Andre Wareham, 47, has been charged with two counts of second degree murder and one of attempted murder.

He lived nearby, but was not part of the encampment, according to police.

"We remain deeply saddened and concerned for allimpacted," read the release from officials.

It adds that in the coming days the city and its partners will coordinate access to the site so people who lived there can gather their personal belongings.

Not clear how manyhave been displaced

The city said it's unable to confirm how many people were staying in the encampment at the time of the attacks, though staff had been told the number could be as high as 60.

Residents of the encampment told CBC they believe the count is likely higher, noting it's not uncommon for several people to sleep in the same shelter.

The ICH also houses Kingston's only supervised consumption site, which led some to share concerns about people using drugs in isolation without staff nearby to revive them in the case of an overdose.

A police cruiser can be seen parked on a pathway, surrounded by tents, caution tape and an abandoned chair.
It's not clear how long the area will remain blocked off. Police said officers will also continue to be posted at the site. (Dan Taekema/CBC)

In the meantime, police will remain at the fenced-off site.

"Community agencies and the City recognize that substantive operational changes need to bemade to 661 Montreal St. to preserve the safety of the individuals accessing services, site staff, and thepublic," the media release reads.

"It is important we take appropriate time to assess required changes to ensure serviceimprovements and enhanced safety for all."