Barrie police have charged a man with second-degree murder, following a stabbing in the city’s downtown on Sunday night.

Officers responded to the call shortly before 11 p.m. at 22 Ross St. Upon arrival, they found a 55-year-old man suffering from multiple stab wounds to his chest in a hallway. He was taken to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead.

A 32-year-old woman was also found with stab wounds to her right arm. She was treated and released from hospital.

“What the community needs to know is that we do have a suspect, he is arrested and he is in custody,” says Const. Angela Butler, of the Barrie Police Service. “He was arrested nearby here at 22 Ross.”

Barrie police have arrested and charged a 29-year-old man with second-degree murder and assault with a weapon. Investigators say the suspect and the victims were known to each other and were residents in the building.

The suspect will appear in a Barrie courtroom on Tuesday for a bail hearing.  

The revelation of the murder is reverberating through the community. Monica Eklund moved to the neighbourhood in September with her 10-year-old son in order to save some money on rent. However, after last night, she's not sticking around.

“I have a child. I'm giving notice (and) I'm not staying in the area,” says Eklund. “It's not safe.”

Wendy Cook has lived on Ross Street for 20 years. She says she’s concerned, but not surprised.

“This whole area, a lot of people get into domestic type disputes, and there is a lot of drug activity,” says Cook.

The Barrie Police Service Emergency Support Unit is now canvassing for additional witnesses and potential video evidence.