Police have arrested a 14-year-old male in connection with the unprovoked stabbing of an elderly woman in Pickering, Ont., who they believe was not known to the suspect. A shelter-in-place alert issued after the incident was lifted after the arrest.
The woman was outside her home just after 3 p.m. local time on May 29, when the suspect approached her and, after a brief interaction, stabbed her in a “sadistic and cowardly” way, Police Chief Peter Moreira of the Durham Regional Police said in a press conference.
Moreira described the incident as an unprovoked attack based on video footage reviewed by police and his experience with homicide cases.
“I can tell you that an unprovoked attack like this is just unimaginable, and the woman was doing nothing but what everyone would do in front of their own home,” he said. “She is not responsible at all for what has happened to her.”
The suspect fled the scene on foot, and the victim, who was taken to a Toronto-area trauma centre, later died from her injuries, police said.
Police did not disclose the suspect’s identity.
Moreira also said the incident does not appear to be related to terrorism.
Before locating the suspect, police had described him as a brown male who was wearing a surgical mask, and a long black jacket. He was also seen carrying a black bag, according to police.
Police said they deployed all available resources to locate the suspect, including overtime and night shift officers, as well as a helicopter and drones.
Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe thanked police for bringing the case to a “quick resolution.”
“My thoughts, prayers, and sympathies go out to the victim and her family,” he said in a social media post, shortly after the police announcement.
