A stabbing victim has lost his fight for life following an attack by up to five assailants at a location just north of Sheppard Avenue and Birchmount Road.

The call came in at 12:35 p.m. Monday. Toronto Police Service Const. Tony Vella told ctvtoronto.ca that homicide detectives were quickly dispatched to the scene at 7 Bonis Ave., which is in 42 Division even before it officially became a murder investigation.

The victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his stomach and chest. He was possibly struck in the head with a hammer.

Vella said the victim had suffered "obvious trauma to the head."

Paramedics rushed him to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre with life-threatening injuries, but died shortly after arrival, he said.

The suspects fled in a white car, Vella said.

Police later said in a news release that the victim's name isn't being released at this time and that a post-mortem examination is to be scheduled.

This death is Toronto's 30th homicide of 2009.

People with information are asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).