Former councillor’s grandson charged in attack on parents
The grandson of a former East York city councillor remains in police custody following his arrest for allegedly attacking his adoptive parents on April 7.
Graham Beange, 20, is facing charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault after police were called to the family’s Broadway Ave. home.
When police arrived just before 7 p.m., they found a 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman suffering “obvious signs of trauma”, said Detective Vanessa Ward, of 53 Division.
Police found the victims’ son a short distance away and arrested him.
Graham is believed to be the grandson of Edna Beange, a highly respected community activist who lives in Leaside. An East York city councillor in the 1970s and ’80s, she has since played an active role in seniors issues in the city.
When reached by phone for comment on the incident, Edna Beange said she was “not prepared to talk about it”.
Police are still trying to figure out what led to the violent attack.
Ward said she believes it was the son who called police, but added she is waiting to receive 911 tapes for confirmation.
The victims, in stable condition but still in intensive care in separate hospitals, are not yet able to provide police with details of the incident, Ward said.
Meanwhile, neighbours were still reeling weeks after the incident, saying there never seemed to be any trouble at the home.
“They are friends with everybody,” said one neighbour, who declined to give her name. “They’re the nicest people.”
Another neighbour said he was also surprised to learn of the violent attack.
“The entire street was blocked off when I came home from work at about midnight … and I talked to one of the neighbours here and he told me what happened.”
The neighbour, who is about the same age as the accused, said they played together as kids. They have since lost touch he said.
A neighbour of Edna Beange said the former politician is dealing with the tragedy as best she can.
“I would imagine she’s drawing on huge reserves of faith,” said the neighbour, who added the politician is active in the Leaside church community.