A weekend marred by seven stabbings, two of them fatal, has put dealing with violence at the top of Edmonton's priorities, said Mayor Stephen Mandel.

"I think we're going to have to increase our presence in certain areas of the city with police," Mandel said.

Dylan McGillis, 20, died after being stabbed on Whyte Avenue while being swarmed by a group of strangers. He had just learned he was going to be a father.
(CBC)

A 20-year-old man from Lloydminster was stabbed to death along Whyte Avenue, and a 17-year-old boy died after being stabbed at his own birthday party. Both attacks occurred early Sunday.

Evan Grykuliak was stabbed at a community hall where he was celebrating his birthday with friends. The teen was pronounced dead at hospital.

Dylan McGillis, 20, was visiting from Lloydminster when he was swarmed by a group of about 15 people early Sunday morning along Whyte Avenue's popular strip of bars, shops and restaurants.

Police said McGillis and his friends were walking to their car when they exchanged a few words with another group. After an initial swarming, McGillis and his friends tried to leave but were chased and McGillis was stabbed.

'The loss here is indescribable.'- Jeremy Wakefield of the death of his cousin, Dylan McGillis

McGillis had just learned he was going to be a father and was planning to move to Edmonton to be with his girlfriend, said his cousin Jeremy Wakefield.

"He'd be an awesome dad because he was an awesome guy.… The loss here is indescribable," Wakefield said.

McGillis's family was by his side when he died in hospital and is appealing for anyone with information about the stabbing to come forward.

Evan Grykuliak, 17, was stabbed at a community hall where he was celebrating his birthday. He died later in hospital.
(CBC)

Police say the same group of suspects may be responsible for a second stabbing in the same area that night. The victim in that incident was taken to hospital where he was treated and released.

Morris Blayways, the owner of two bars along Whyte Avenue, said there needs to be a stronger police presence.

"Most of the time there's eight beat officers — but on any given night on a Friday or Saturday there's 25,000 people on the avenue," Blayways said.

Mandel says Edmonton's police chief will decide where additional officers are needed.