2nd-degree murder charges laid against 2 teens in death of 'happy little girl'

Winnipeg police have arrested two teens in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl over the weekend.

A 16-year-old girl and 18-year-old woman were both charged with second-degree murder stemming from stabbings at a house party, Winnipeg police announced Tuesday afternoon.

Police were called Saturday just before 11 p.m. CDT after reports of a stabbing at a house party on Kinver Avenue.

They arrived to find an 18-year-old woman and the 14-year-old suffering from stab wounds.

Both were rushed to hospital in critical condition, but the 14-year-old died. The status of the 18-year-old was upgraded to stable.

Police believe a dispute at the party escalated before the pair were stabbed.

The tenant in the house where the incident occurred had given his niece permission to host a Halloween party that night, property manager Jim Kuxhouse told CBC News in an email.

Kuxhouse said none of the residents of the house were involved in the stabbings.

Investigators arrested the two suspects Monday. Along with second-degree murder, they were each charged with attempting to commit murder. Both remain in custody.

'I'm going to miss her so much'

A vigil for the 14-year-old victim was held on Tuesday evening outside of the house where the stabbing happened.

More than 50 people gathered on the snow covered front lawn, lighting candles and holding pictures of the victim, to the sound of drumming and singing.

Laureen Sanderson, who spoke on behalf of the family, said they are not doing well.

"Her life didn't need to be taken at such a young age. I love her so much. I'm going to miss her so much," she said.

"She was happy, outgoing … she was a happy little girl."

Family has come from out of town in order to grieve the loss together, she said.

"We really care. That's why we're out here."

The news that two teenage girls have been charged in the violent attack is hard to hear, said a member of the MMIWG community who helped organizer the vigil.

"It's really sad to see it go that way. All we can do is wrap this family around with nothing but love," Alaya McIvor said.

The 14-year-old's death was among three homicides in a matter of hours over the weekend, bringing the number of homicides in Winnipeg to 36 this year — the second highest on record in a calendar year.