A man is dead after being stabbed multiple times in Etobicoke early Saturday morning, according to Toronto Police.

Police officers responded to the call around 3:15 a.m. at 540 The West Mall, a Toronto community housing building. Police on the scene confirmed the victim was found near a playground area in front of the complex.

Toronto EMS confirmed the victim died from multiple stab wounds in the back of the ambulance.

Sgt. Mary Price with 22 Division said witnesses first indicated they’d seen a male with a gun. However, when police arrived on scene they found a man with extensive stab wounds.

“My understanding is that at 3:33 this morning he was declared deceased,” said Sgt. Price. “We’ve secured the area and are attempting to locate as many witnesses as possible.”

Toronto Police’s homicide unit has taken over the investigation.

Det. Mike Carbone told reporters on the scene Saturday morning that police are in the process of investigating surveillance footage and looking at witness reports.

“There’s a good community here, a good neighbourhood here. I know the police are in here just reaching out and trying to make people feel safe in here,” Carbone told CP24. “It’s a vibrant community that, certainly, it’s something that kind of really shouldn’t be happening.”

There is currently no information on suspects, but police say the victim appears to have been targeted.

“My heart is aching,” said a man who claimed the victim was a close family member. “You guys have to find a way to stop this,” he pleaded to Peter LeonCouncillor Peter Leon, who stopped by the scene.

“It’s a very sad, sad situation,” said Leon, who had heard the victim described as a “gentle giant with a big heart.” A man who claimed the victim was his close family member said that he left behind five children.

“Unfortunately, sad incidents like this happen and people’s lives are impacted very severely. We have to have a great deal of concern for the gentleman and his family right now,” said Leon. “Second priority is to see the police do their job and do it well.”

Members of the West Mall community where the stabbing took place were tight-lipped as officers placed yellow evidence markers on the ground of the playground. Some residents talked of gang activity in the area. Many were afraid to share their names.

“The police are doing the best they can,” said Leon. “Unfortunately I think we’re in challenging times right now, but the police are working hard to work with the community.”

Yellow tape blocked off a wide area around the front of the TCHC building as residents and neighbours gathered at the sides to talk.

Police officers approached the apartment complexes across the street while others crouched down along areas of the playground and pathway between wings of the building.

The crime scene investigation appeared to be focused around a bench inside the playground area.

“I sit down there every day, too, that’s the worst part about it. Same position every day,” said the man who called the victim his close family member. “This is where everyone sits, right on that same bench where he died.”

Others in the building said the victim was a “very nice guy.”

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“We’re in shock,” said one woman who wouldn’t share her name. “You know how some people just have that personality to say hi when they see you just because you live in the area? Yeah, he was like that.”

The neighbourhood is the “A1 neighbourhood,” said one resident.

Police were trying to obtain footage from multiple surveillance cameras on the building near the playground.